January 30 2026

Friday January 30

The Workplace: Christian Masters or Employers

Ephesians 6:9

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

First, I want to thank you for your prayers over the past few weeks as we've been dealing with this sciatica pain. I did see a doctor yesterday and got a fairly good report and actually I'm doing better right now just simply because of your prayers and so we appreciate it very much and we'll keep you updated. They have scheduled an MRI and some other things to look into the source of the pain and we're very encouraged and we are doing better. Again, thank you for your prayers.

Now, let's continue here in Ephesians chapter 6 and we're looking at verse 9 as Paul is talking about the workplace. Yesterday, as you know, he talked about the servant or the employee and gives instructions to them as a Christian employee and what are your responsibilities? Now, he's talking to the employer or the master. The Christian faith does not bring harmony by erasing social or cultural distinctions. Servants were still servants when they trusted Christ, and masters were still masters. Rather, Christianity brings harmony by changing the heart. Christ gives us a new motivation, not a new organizational structure. Both servant and master are ultimately serving the Lord and seeking to please Him. When that is true, they are able to work together for the glory of God. So what are the responsibilities of a Christian master—or, in our day, a Christian employer?

1. He Must Seek the Welfare of His Workers. Paul says, “Do the same things unto them.” If an employer expects his workers to do their best for him, then he must do his best for them. The master must serve the Lord from the heart if he expects those under his authority to do the same. A Christian employer must never exploit his workers. One of the finest biblical examples of this principle is Boaz in the Book of Ruth. Boaz greeted his workers by saying, “The Lord be with you!” and they replied, “The Lord bless thee!” (Ruth 2:4). Boaz was sensitive to the needs of his workers and generous toward Ruth, a stranger. His relationship with his employees was marked by mutual respect and a shared desire to glorify the Lord. Sadly, it is sometimes said, “My boss claims to be a Christian, but you’d never know it.” That ought never to be the case.

2. He Must Not Threaten. Paul also instructs Christian masters to give up threatening. Roman masters possessed tremendous authority, even the legal right to kill a rebellious slave—though few did so, since slaves were expensive. Still, the power to threaten was very real. Paul teaches that the Christian employer has a far better way to encourage obedience and service. Fear is a poor motivator. It often results in less effort, not more, and it cannot be sustained over time. A much better motivation is fairness and justice. Paul reinforces this in Colossians 4:1, reminding masters to provide what is just and equal. When a worker is allowed to share in the results of his labor, he will work better and harder.

3. He Must Be Submitted to the Lord. Paul reminds masters, “Your Master also is in heaven” (Ephesians 6:9). This is the practical outworking of the lordship of Christ. Throughout Ephesians, we see this pattern:

• Wives submit to their husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22).

• Husbands love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).

• Children obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1).

• Parents raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

• Servants obey as unto Christ (Ephesians 6:5).

• Masters treat their servants as their Master in heaven would have them do.

When each person submits to the Lord, submission to human authority becomes far less difficult.

Jesus taught that the pathway to leadership begins with servanthood. The person who is not under authority has no right to exercise authority. This explains why so many of God’s leaders were servants before they were rulers—Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and Nehemiah, to name a few. Even after becoming leaders, they were called to lead by serving. God actually often addressed Moses as, “My servant Moses”.

4. He Must Not Show Partiality. Paul closes by reminding us that there is no partiality with God (Ephesians 6:9). God judges or rewards both master and servant according to obedience or disobedience (Ephesians 6:8). A Christian employer must not assume special privilege before God because of position, nor should he play favorites among those under his authority. Paul warned Timothy to observe these principles without preferring one before another (1 Timothy 5:21). Few things divide a workplace faster—or destroy leadership more quickly—than favoritism.

This brings us to the close of the section we have called “Walk in Harmony.” When we are filled with the Holy Spirit—joyful, thankful, and submissive—we can experience harmony in the relationships of life, both at home and in the workplace. We will also find it easier to work with and witness to unbelievers who may not agree with us. The fruit of the Spirit is love, and love is the greatest adhesive in the world.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.