The Christian Home, Part 3

Introduction

The last verse of our focus text, Col. 3:18-22, is on the Master/Slave interaction. This can also be utilized for the Employer/Employee paradigm as well.

Surprisingly, some people don’t think in regard to being a Christian on the job as they aren’t surrounded by other Christians. However, this is where being a Christian should be tantamount the most. You are, after all, setting the example in the world just as Jesus did (1 Pet. 2:21).

If the people that you work with do not know that you are a Christian, then clearly you aren’t living the way you should. To blend in with the world, makes you a worldly individual. As the apostle Paul states, Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

The Christian as an Employee

The apostle Paul writes, Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. (Colossians 3:22; Eph. 6:5)

Here’s what Paul told Titus, Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back (Titus 2:9). And here’s what the apostle Peter had to say, Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. (1 Peter 2:18)

The bottom line, here, is to remember that you are working for God. Your actions, motivation, and work-ethic should be as if God were your immediate boss. As Paul told Titus, ‘not answering back’ means you shouldn’t back talk or argue with your boss. He is the one who sets the pace and the one who signs the paychecks. One wrong word could send you to the unemployment line and, maybe, being disfavored in eyes of God.

This is not to say to allow yourself to become a doormat and let people walk all over you. But there is a way to do things right, including correction, if you feel a boss is mistreating you. That’s why most, if not all, companies have a chain of command. If you can’t get results with your immediate supervisor, move up to their boss and so on.

The Christian as an Employer

Although Paul doesn’t say anything about a Christian being in charge, we can gain some insight from the gospels. A perfect example is Jesus’ encounter with a Chief Tax collector named Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:2-10). His name is Hebrew which means he’s a Jew (according to Barnes Commentary). And, as a chief tax collector, he had other collectors under him.

Jesus announced to him, that he would be visiting his house that very day. Zacchaeus climbed down from a tree and ran to him joyfully (vs. 5-6). The people in the area disapproved of this action siting that Jesus was going to eat with a sinner (vs.7).

From Zacchaeus’ response in verse 8, he concluded that these people saw him as a corrupt tax collector. In other words, demanding more money that what was necessary (extortion); lining their pockets with the difference or giving some to Roman Soldiers to “look the other way”. Let’s look closely at his response, Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” (Luke 19:8)

Clearly, he is a generous man; donating to the poor. But, also, one who is honest as he will restore that which was unrighteously taken, perhaps from his underlings, and more in addition. Jesus knew his heart which is why he wanted to go into his home. He also added, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham” (Luke 19:9) We don’t whether Zacchaeus became a Christian or not but it’s quite possible that he was converted.

Taking Your Work Home to Your Family

This is not so much as doing extra work at home to finish a project to meet a deadline but taking your “Work attitude” to your home and family. Not all of us can say that we work in a job or career that we love. Most of us work to make ends meet and keep things in motion for the family.

However, when your worklife bleeds over into the homelife, it can be very problematic. When negative things happen at work, they should stay there when you clock out and leave for the day. You should never take those problems home as they sometimes become a problem in the household. It’s all right to talk to a spouse about these things but not at the expense of needlessly exploding all over them for something they have no knowledge of at that time.

While you are still a Christian at both your Job and at home, the two places need to stay separate as if two people exist. The Worklife individual and the Homelife individual. Neither should meet but should exchange places during the course of the day. The Worklife individual goes to work and the Homelife Individual comes home. Perhaps re-reading the beatitudes from Matthew 5 will help see a clear picture.

Conclusion

Whether you are an employee, supervisor, or CEO of a company, always remember that you are working for God in all that you do. This helps you to keep things in perspective as you go to work every day.