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Masters...


          All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. (I Timothy 6:1-2)

          We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (II Corinthians 5:20)

          Slaves and masters represented a large portion of the community in which Paul and Timothy lived, so it’s not surprising that we’re back to them. That means that we’re back to discussing employers/managers and employees. Paul says again that slaves are to treat their masters with respect. This time, however, he makes it clearer (in my mind) than he does in other letters. His goal is for bad behavior on the part of the slaves not to get in the way of the message God has sent.
            In the second passage above, Paul describes us as Christ’s ambassadors. What we do is considered a direct reflection on Christ. That means that we are to be the best employees/slaves we can be, doing our jobs as if we were working directly for God. Laziness, dishonesty, disrespect, tardiness, procrastination, carelessness, and negligence are all unacceptable.
           Paul strengthens this teaching with regard to those who have brothers and sisters in Christ as their masters, managers, or employers. One’s relationship on the job is not the same as one’s relationship in the Church. What may be done casually in a congregation may not be treated so familiarly on the job. In fact, Paul commands us to treat the believing boss even better.
          And the reverse of the relationship is under the same restrictions. Masters, managers, and employers who are believers are to be devoted to the welfare of their slaves, whether saved or not. And that brings us back to an oft-repeated principle. Slaves are to seek the well-being of their masters. Masters are to seek the well-being of their slaves. We are to love one another – whether we deserve it or not.

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