Episode 25: Boss and Employee Relationship

In this Episode Saso and Ben talk about children anIn this episode Saso and Ben discuss the boss and employee relationship according to Ephesians.

SERV’ANT – servant, from servo, to keep or hold; properly one that waits, that is, stops, holds, attends, or one that is bound.

A person, male or female, that attends another for the purpose of performing menial offices for him, or who is employed by another for such offices or for other labor, and is subject to his command. The word is correlative to master. Servant differs from slave, as the servant’s subjection to a master is voluntary, the slave’s is not. Every slave is a servant but every servant is not a slave.

Websters 1828

Key Verse

Ephesians 6:5-9

There is a lot packed in these verses as it tells how we are to be as employees in our relationship with our bosses. In every tier there can be resentment to those who are in authority over you, but God put it here, so that we may know how to act in this relationship.

It does not give us any option about obedience but like the other relationships, it tells we should obey in fear and trembling, The duty of servants is obedience 

These verses gives us the bigger picture of who we really are working for…”Unto Christ, as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

Have you ever had a bad boss?

How did you deal with it?

Our response vs. God’s response 

Ephesians 6:8-9

God also tells of how bosses are to treat their employees

Malachi 3:5

Pay your employee what the have earned in their wages. No deception, no Tom Foolery. 

Why did this episode receive the title Employees and Employers when talking about servants and masters. Some translations use the terms slaves or bondservants which leads to more questions about slavery. The bible does speak about slavery and the relationship between slaves and masters. We tend to think of slavery in light of the way slavery occurred here in the US, which is condemned in scripture by the way. However, in bible times slavery was not based on skin color or nationality but more on economics and social status. Some people sold themselves into slavery because they couldn’t pay their debts or provide for their family. Some people just wanted to be provided for by their masters. Slavery in those days was not pretty in most cases, but in a basic sense it was an employee and employer relationship.

What does scripture require for employees?

According to Ephesians 6:5, employees are to obey with fear and trembling. Fear and trembling referring to respect for authority. 

1 Timothy 6:1-2

God places us in secular work environments for a reason and purpose.

Our main goal when we work in the world is to promote our Lord and Savior. We are ambassadors for the name of Jesus Christ, and we are to walk accordingly.

What would your co-workers say about you?

What would your bosses say about you? 

You often spend more time with your fellow workers than you do your family.

Colossians 3:22-25

God is the rewarder of our labor even if we may obtain monetary value. God is no respecter of person and requires that all be treated equal and fairly.

Our goal to do well in the workplace is not to get praise and accolades but in the spirit of fearing our God. If we will work in the spirit of fearing God then in some cases we will get the praise but it ought not to be our focus. God should always be the focus of our lives which includes what we do for labor.

Obedience is key. Just ask any boss. If a boss asks their employee to do something, the expectation is that they will comply and do as told. After all, that is why the employer is paying the employee. One of the top reasons employees are fired is for insubordination, simply a refusal to follow directions.

What if an employer is asking you to do something that cause you to sin?

Scripture doesn’t condone sin in any scenario.

Acts 5:29

Does that mean quit on the spot?

No, you can appeal and let them know what they are asking you to do is wrong and then you will have to make a decision. These are going to be rare cases, far and few between.

Singleness of heart or sincerity 

Have you ever gone to a fast food joint and the person at the counter taking your order could careless if you stopped in to give them business or not? Maybe its that worker at the local hardware store that does an about face when you being to walk up their isle. 

Just by observation, it would seem to me that many folks will do the bare minimum to keep a job. There is no sincerity. 

Titus 2:9

Having a sincere heart is an attitude and willingness to do what has been asked of of the employee to the best of their ability.

Not with Eye service as men pleasers

This simply means that you should do a good job whether or not your employer is watching. Now of days many businesses have surveillance cameras not only for customers but for employees. Some companies are requiring employees keep a web cam on while working from home. But whether you are being monitored or observed by your employee, you should be working and working to the best of your ability.

Why? Because we should be working as if we were working directly for God.

Colossians 3:23

This also implies that we shouldn’t be complaining behind the employers back. In reading some stats, many employees are filled because of posting complaints on social media about their employer.

One thing that people complain about is the pay. Interestingly enough Jesus gave us a parable about this.

Matthew 20:1-15

This parable surely goes deeper than surface level, however, there is truth in the parable itself. When you were hired, you agreed on a certain pay, so don’t complain. If you aren’t happy about your pay, then look for a better paying job, but don’t complain about your wages.

This also means that we shouldn’t waste employers time. Employees have been hired to do a job. In those same statistics, another reason employees get fired is excessive social media and internet usage. Just a small tip for you. Your employer can monitor what you are doing on the internet and it’s perfectly legal. Another way to waste your employers time is taking excessive breaks. Your employer has hired you to do a job, it’s simple, do your job.

No shame in being a servant

Matthew 20:26-28

Jesus came to minister (serve), He did not come to be served even though He deserved to be as He was the King of the World

He was the example and always is in how we should live ourselves. 

Proverbs 14:23

We were created to work, to labor, to have purpose. God gives us all types of jobs to do but we are to be busy working.

To work is a privilege, and we must be careful not to complain about the job God has given us.

God sets up the structure for our government but it also applies to the work structure.

Romans 13:1

Imagine your workplace with no boss, no structure?

God is about structure, order and hierarchy.

Masters treat your servants well

Ephesians 6:9

Stop threatening

In observing our society today, it seems to me that people that desire to be a boss, or in charge, a manager, someone with rank, only wants to be in a position of power for the purpose of being served. This is contrary to the verses mentioned above from Matthew 20.

As a boss, you should have a servants mentality and a servants heart. Just because you hold a higher rank and people have to answer to you, doesn’t give you the right to treat them as if they are of lesser value. It does no good to threaten your employees. If employees don’t want to listen, comply or follow your direction, then you can deal with them accordingly with respect.

You can climb the corporate ladder, but no matter how high you get, you still answer to God. That’s the attitude we must have. We are all accountable to God. Whether you are the janitor at Walmart, or the CEO at Google, you are accountable to God for how you treat your employees.

Being a boss basically means you have greater responsibility.

Do you run over your employees to make your numbers look good?

Do you care for and try to help your employees succeed?

Would your employees say you are a good boss?

Would Jesus commend or condemn you on how you treat your employees?

Do you speak ill of your boss? Guilty!

Do you work for the praise of man or for the glory of God? 

How is your testimony at work? 

Is God pleased with the labor of your work? 

What review would God give your job performance? 

May we bring Him honor and glory in all that we do, and may our co-workers be won to Christ because of our work ethic and testimony.