Walking Worthy of our calling #68b (Masters: you all serve the same Master!) Eph 6:9 “Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.”

So, why should masters stop their threatening and treat their slaves with respect and dignity? The answer is given in the next sentence of the verse: “knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven,” everyone who is in Christ has the same master, regardless of earthly position. 1Cor 12:13 says: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” This verse does not erase the class distinction of slave and master, but rather it brings equality in value to everyone who is in Christ. This equality comes because of the fact that those who are in Christ now recognize the Lordship of a new master…the same master, Jesus Christ. Therefore it must be our goal, our aim to please this master, which means that earthly masters treat their slaves with dignity and respect.

Just as verse 8 dealt with God’s impartiality, this verse also deals with it, but it takes it a step further. This verse brings forth the idea that because God shows no partiality; we also are to show impartiality. Other verses which shows that we too are to have impartiality as God does are as follows: Pro 24:23 says: “These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.” Pro 28:21 “To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.” Ti 5:21 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.” Jas 2:1 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” Jas 2:9 “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

James 2:9 actually classifies showing partiality as sin. It is an incredible blessing to know that God shows no partiality toward us in relation to his acceptance of us. If his acceptance of us was based upon anything that we have done, he would have every reason to not accept us. However, God shows no partiality towards us because his acceptance of us is based upon the finished work of Christ. Because of Christ’s work, and his righteousness placed upon our account, there is no basis for partiality. We all come claiming the blood of Christ. Therefore, since there is no partiality with God, we should also show no partiality as we hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #68a (Masters: Stop your threatening!) Eph 6:9 “Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.”

Just as when dealing with the other areas of submission, now that Paul has finished addressing those under submission, he now turns his attention to those who are in the position of authority. While many use this passage to show that the Bible condones slavery, this passage makes it clear that the Word of God condemns the improper treatment of anyone, slave or free.

Paul tells the Masters to “do the same unto them”. This command shows that working with a motivation to please Christ is not a one way street. Paul’s admonition to masters to “do the same unto them goes back to Eph 6b-7 which says: “but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,” Masters are to render their service (fulfill their duty of governing) while doing the will of God from the heart. They are to be rendering service to their servants with good will, also working as unto the Lord, and not as unto men. If masters are operating by this principle, they will be treating those under their authority with respect. Regardless of position or social class, everyone has intrinsic value because they are made in the image of God, and therefore should be treated with dignity.

The imperative is given here for masters to stop threatening their slaves. First of all, one in authority who threatens someone under them is not operating according to the principle of rendering service with a good will, as unto the Lord. Rather they are operating by carnal means, trying to manipulate those under their authority into submission. Also, Paul exhorts Christian masters not to threaten because it will lead to developing in their slaves a fear of man. The fear of man is exactly what Paul is warning servants against in the previous verses. Therefore a master who encourages this by threatening his slaves is going against the latter part of Rom 14:13 which says: “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Instead of threatening and encouraging their slaves to develop a fear of man, God-fearing masters should help those who are under them to develop a fear of the Lord instead.

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #67 (God judges without partiality) Eph 6:8 “knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”

We are told to render service with good will as unto the Lord and not unto man…the reason being that we know whatever good anyone does, he will receive back from the Lord. This verse explains why we are to be working as unto Christ, and not unto men…because it is from God whom we will receive our reward. It is easy to work to please men so that we receive better treatment from earthly masters. This presents a problem, because there is favoritism among men. However, this passage, as well as several others serve to show that with God, there is no respect of persons.

The parallel passage in Col 3:23-25 says: “Col 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” This principle is repeated many times in scripture in several different contexts. Again and again scripture makes it clear that God is not a respecter of persons with God…and it makes it clear that we too should not show partiality. The second context will be dealt with later.

Several scriptures that indicate that God shows no partiality are as follows. In Luke 20:21, the scribes and chief priests: “So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God.” Although they were looking for an opportunity to stump Christ, they recognized that Christ showed no partiality. In Act 10:34, as Peter in amazement comes to grips with the reality that salvation is offered to the Jews as well as the gentiles, the verse observes: “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,” In the context of man’s sinfulness, and God’s judgment, Rom 2:11 says: “For God shows no partiality.” Paul writes in Gal 2:6 “And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)–those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.” The very next verse in this passage (Eph 6:9) also states that God shows no partiality.

Therefore, it makes no difference to God who we are as believers, for God is no respecter of persons. Rom 14:10-12 state: “Rom 14:10 “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” This judgment by which we will give an account unto God has nothing to do with our salvation, as that is secured by Christ. Rather it has to do with our obedience to him as slaves. This is where rewards come into play…not based upon any good within ourselves, but rather our obedience to Christ. For this reason we are to work as unto the Lord, knowing that unlike our earthly masters, our great master judges without partiality.

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #66 (working with integrity, as unto the Lord) Eph 6:7 “rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,”

This verse flows right out of the previous verse, in keeping with the same theme of our occupational efforts being driven out of a service for Christ. Together, verses 6-7 read: “not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,” The emphasis continues to be actions flowing out of a heart dedicated to God.

While this verse may seem as a mere continuation, yea even a repetition of the principles that have been shared in this passage thus far. It certainly closely resembles its parallel verse in Col 3:23 which says: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”. However, there is something added here that gives even more insight into what our attitude should be when we work. Eph 6:7 says: “rendering service with a good will” this has to do with our demeanor as we work. As we go about our day to day tasks, we should have a joyful spirit about what we are doing. Also, we should do our work with integrity, doing what is right towards those who we work for, regardless of how they treat us.

We are to do our services with integrity and goodwill to our earthly masters because this verse reminds us that we ultimately work for Christ, as this verse reminds us we render our service “as to the Lord and not to man,” Therefore, our performance should not be based upon the actions of those in authority over us, but rather in response to our ultimate master, who always works all things together for our good.

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #65b (Right motivation for submitting in the workplace) Eph 6:6 “not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,”

So it is clear that we are not to be working merely by way of eye-service, as people pleasers. The fear of man is a snare, one that will keep us from being able to fulfill our occupational duties out of a proper motive. So what is a proper motive for submitting to our masters? The latter part of verse 6 makes it clear that we are to obey them “as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,”

We are to obey our earthly masters “as servants of Christ”. The point is made again and again that submission to our earthly authorities is submission to Christ. In Col 3:23, the parallel passage to this one, we are reminded that: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” This verse has the idea that even though occupationally speaking, we have human authority over us (to whom we must submit), we should work in the same way as if we are working directly for Christ. This is true for every area of life, as 1 Cor 10:31 tells us: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Col 3:23-34 together says: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Here we see the reminder as to why it is Christ that we are to work unto. While we receive monetary compensation from our earthly masters, it is from Christ that we receive our ultimate reward. The difference between the reward from our earthly masters for our service to them and our reward from Christ is that our spiritual reward is not based upon our service to him at all. There is absolutely nothing that we can do to earn the inheritance of eternal life which is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”(1Peter 1:4-5). Therefore, the fact that there is nothing that we can do to earn this inheritance, yet is was so freely bestowed upon us by God’s grace, should motivate us to serve Christ with all our might out of a spirit of gratitude for the grace which we cannot earn.

In addition to working “as servants of Christ” Paul also adds that we are to be “doing the will of God from the heart,”. The parallel in Col 3:22 adds “but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” We are to be working as if unto Christ (which is doing the will of God) from the heart…with a sincere heart. Again, the aim of this passage is not on our actions, but rather our hearts, from where our actions flow. Col 3:22 adds that in obeying our earthly masters, our motivation in doing such should be out of a fear of the Lord. This is in direct contradiction to doing our duty “by way of eye-service, as people pleasers”…which is the result of the fear of man. Our aim, our desire in all that we do, must be to please Christ.

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #65a (Wrong motivation for submitting in the workplace) Eph 6:6 “not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,”

Here Paul continues dealing with the submission of slaves to their masters by giving a contrast between how they should not relate to them vs how they should. The latter part of verse 5 says that slaves should obey their masters: “with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,” The focus of the obedience required here is obedience from the heart, not mere actions alone. This emphasis continues right into verse 6 which contrasts obedience driven by the fear of man and obedience motivated by a desire to please Christ.

“not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers,” the word “eye-service” that is used here is only used twice in the New Testament. The only other place where it is used is in the parallel passage to this one which is found in Col 3:22. According to Strongs concordance, the Greek word used here has the meaning of: “sight labor, that is, that needs watching (remissness): – eye-service.” Clearly this has the idea of an employee who only does his work when he is being monitored by the human authority placed over him. Therefore, when this motivation is taken away (i.e. the boss goes back to his office), the labor ceases. The only motivation to work in such a case is the fear of being reproved by the authority.

Work is not to be done by way of eye service as people pleasers. Actions motivated by a need to please people, is an inadequate motivation for anything in life. Someone who does his work by way of eye-service, as a people pleaser is ultimately operating based upon the fear of man. Prov 29:25 has this to say about the fear of man: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” This verse describes the fear of man as a snare, something that will entrap us in this life if we give in to it. Eph 6:6 does not teach us that we should not have a respect for those in authority over us…we certainly see respect for our human authority in this passage. However, what it does teach is that the human authority should not be our motivation for faithfulness in the workplace. If it is, it will be too tempting to only put forth effort when we are being observed by that human authority, and slacking off at other times.

So what is a biblical theology of work? As I have discussed earlier when dealing with Eph 4:28, Many people have the mistaken idea that having to work is a direct result of the curse, but when an examination of the scripture is given, one will find that this is simply not the case. Gen 1:26 says: “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” God created man, and designed him to work, before the fall ever occurred! Based upon scripture, we were actually designed to work! So it is natural that we should find a sense of fulfillment in a good honest day’s work. Since God designed men to work, and to feel fulfilled in an area of his life as a result of hard work, working only hard enough to make one’s supervisor to think we are working hard will never feel fulfilled in our occupation. This not only because he unwilling to work as he is designed to, but also because his affections are for the approval of man and not after Christ.

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #64 (submission in the workplace) Eph 6:5 “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,”

In keeping with the same theme of Christian submission, Paul now turns his attention to the relationship between masters and slaves. This is a passage that many have difficulty dealing with because of the stigma of American slavery. Regardless of the similarities and differences between 1st Century slavery and 18th-19th-Century slavery, the fact remains that slavery (where people are bought and sold as property) was a large part of Roman society during the first Century, therefore Paul addresses both slaves and masters in this passage, telling how they are to relate to each other.

Gal 3:28 says: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Just as this verse has been used to support egalitarianism, some also use it to support an overall antiauthority viewpoint, saying that since we are under the authority of Christ, and since we as believers are equal with one another through Christ, we need not submit to one another in the areas which we fall under authority. However, while this verse is emphasizing that we are all one in Christ, with the same worth and value, there is no implication here that we are not to obey our earthly authority. That’s why Ephesians 6:5 instructs slaves to obey their earthly masters with fear and trembling. Not only are slaves to obey their masters, but they are to reverence them as well. In most of our lives this would translate to respecting and obeying our employers.

Paul also tells them to obey their masters “with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,” in other words, obedience should not be begrudgingly, but rather willingly. We should gladly obey them who are in occupational authority over us because this is one of the authorities that God has placed in our lives. Also, Paul adds the phrase “as you would Christ” to show us that obeying this authority in our lives is being obedient to Christ. While dealing with the same issue of slave/master relationships Paul writes in Col 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” in our occupations we are to work as if we were working directly for Christ. This will be a testimony that can be seen by all of them who are unbelievers. People should be able to see a difference between the way we as believers submit to our employers and the way that unbelievers do. This can be a powerful testimony to them that observe, leading them to inquire more about our ultimate master.

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #27c (Working enables us to give!) Eph 4:28 “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

“so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Here is the third part of this verse. 1. Put off stealing, 2. Put on honest hard work, and now 3. Give. There is only one way of bringing in a consistent form of honest income and that is through hard honest work. With this income, there are three things that we can do with it. 1. Save; 2. Spend; and 3. Give. It is always wise to save a portion of one’s income. As it relates to spending, we must be good stewards of what God has given us. We must learn to differentiate between wants and needs, and learn how to live within one’s means. This can be difficult to do in our culture because we are taught from every angle that if you can’t afford it, take out a loan for it or charge it on a credit card. However, this is not good stewardship. Good stewardship involves learning to live without most of our wants (if we can’t afford them), as well as living within our means so that we are well able to give. If we are sacrificing our giving to pay bills chances are something is wrong with our budgeting.

This verse, alongside many others show the vital importance of giving. It shows that one of the purposes of working is so that we may have, so that we can give. We must understand that our money is not our own, but rather we are stewards of God’s money. So what does the Bible say about giving? Let us start with the principle of tithing. The first mention of tithing is in Gen 14 when after God gave Abraham victory at the slaughter of the kings, he paid tithes (a tenth of the spoil) to Melchisedec, King of Salem, Priest of the most high God. Now let’s fast forward to the command for the nation of Israel to tithe. Lev 27:30 “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.” Lev 27:32 “And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.” So here the principle of tithing is set forth. Because all that we have is a gift from God, out of gratitude we should honor him with the first fruits of our increase.

So what was the tithe used for under the Mosaic law? Num 18:24 “But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.” Among the 12 tribes of Israel, Levi was not given an inheritance in the land. Rather, the whole tribe was consecrated to the service of God: ministering in the tabernacle, assembling and disassembling it, cutting up and offering the animal sacrifices of the people unto the Lord, etc. Deut 26:12 says: “Deut 26:12 “When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;” so we can see that the tithes of the people were used to take care of the ministers of God (the Levites) as well as the orphans and the widows.

So what about today? While the command to tithe is not specifically given in the NT, the principles remain the same. We are to honor God with the first fruits of our increase, gratefully realizing that all we have is a gift from him. Also, the needs still remain. Paul says in 1Cor 9:9 in the context of providing for ministers of the gospel: “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?” also in 1 Tim 5:17-18: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Not only does the need remain to support those who labor in the gospel, but also to take care of the poor saints. Paul mentions in Romans, both letters to the Corinthians, and his Epistle to the Philippians about the collections which he was trying to take up to help the poor believers in Jerusalem.

So what should our attitude in giving be? And how much should we give? To answer this question Paul writes in 2Cor 9:6-7 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” We are to give as much as we believe that the Lord wants us to, remembering the principle of reaping and sowing. Our attitude in giving should be cheerful! Not out of compulsion. One who gives out of compulsion doesn’t understand that the money he has is not his to begin with. So let us work! So that we may be able to give cheerfully!

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #27b (A Biblical Theology of Work) Eph 4:28 “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

“but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands,” After setting forth the charge to not steal, Paul goes on to contrast stealing with laboring in honest work. If a person is given to laziness, they are going to try to get out of doing work. On the other hand, many people, (men in particular) have a tendency to turn to their work to find fulfillment in life, and work so much that it becomes a detriment to them and their family, as they have little time to give to the most important people in their lives. Are either of these extremes biblical? One of the many proverbs about the sluggard is Prov 21:25 which says: “The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.” 2 Thess 3:10 says: “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” Clearly the slothful extreme is not biblical, but what about the workaholic side? While 1Tim 5:8 makes it clear that if a man doesn’t provide for his family, that makes him worse than an unbeliever, this is not a license to spend every waking hour at work, at the neglect of his family’s other needs (emotional, social, spiritual, etc.). If a man finds his identity in his work, he is terribly misguided. As believers in Christ, the scripture makes it clear that our identity is found in Christ. Rom 8; Eph 1; 1Jn 3 as well as other passages all speak to the truth that we are now the sons of God! This is where our identity must lie, not in our work, or anything else.

So what is a biblical theology of work? Many people have the mistaken idea that having to work is a direct result of the curse, but when an examination of the scripture is given, one will find that this is simply not the case. Gen 1:26 says: “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” God created man, and designed him to work, before the fall ever occurred! Based upon scripture, we were actually designed to work! So it is natural that we should find a sense of fulfillment in a good honest day’s work. So what effect did the fall have on work? Gen 3:17-19 says: “And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”” So, while work was instituted before the fall, now as a result of the curse we struggle to find enjoyment from it. Work is not automatically pleasurable, but it easily becomes drudgery. Because of the curse, we now can expect much toil with limited reward.

The Bible also has much to say about working in an honest manner. There are several passages that deals with not working for unjust gain. Col 3:22-23 says: “Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”. If we are doing our work as unto the Lord, it will be honest work. If we are doing our work as unto the Lord, we will not be slothful in business. If we are doing out work as unto the Lord, we will not be so consumed with our jobs that it takes priority over our families. Since God designed us to work, (and not steal), we should do it all as unto Him, so that we may be a testimony to those who observe us.

 

Walking Worthy of our calling #27a (From stealing to working) Eph 4:28 “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

Here is another imperative that Paul gives: “Let the thief no longer steal” as always, Paul also gives an indicative to explain the “why” of the imperative. Here the indicative is twofold: let him no longer steal, but rather: 1. he should labor, doing honest work 2. So that he might be able to help those in need.

“Let the thief no longer steal” This is a clear command which we also see given in the 10 commandments. Stealing is something that completely devalues the victim, in many cases causing them to lose much that is of monetary value. The Lord’s view on the matter can be seen through what was written in the Law of Moses regarding steeling. Lev 6:1 says: “”If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery,”. This verse goes so far as to call robbery a breach of faith against the Lord! As far as compensation is concerned, Lev 6:5 says that he must restore it in full to the victim, plus 1/5 of the value on top of that. As far as a guilt offering, verses 6-7 say that he must bring a ram without blemish to the Tabernacle and the Priest will make atonement for him.

There are two things that would bring a person to the point of thievery: need and greed. Regarding stealing out of need, Prov 6:30 says: “People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,”. So that no one gets the impression that need justifies stealing, verse 31 goes on to say: “but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.” While stealing out of need is still wrong, it is more understandable than stealing out of greed. One who steals out of greed has his affections grossly misplaced. He is not stealing so that he can get his daily sustenance, but rather simply because he wants, and does not have. The object has become his god, and he will do whatever it takes to get it. James 4:2-3 speak to this: “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” James goes on to say that friendship with the world is enmity with God.

We must set out affections on Christ! If our affections are not on Christ, the things of this world will be what we seek after, and because of our depravity, we are capable of committing all kinds of evil to obtain it. It is vital that we continue to renew our minds, washing it with the truth of God’s Word. As we do this, and continue to put on the new man created after God, our affections will become more and more set on Christ and not on the things of this world.