Read Colossians 3:22-4:1
One of the most notorious relationships in Australia is the boss/worker or employer/employee relationship. Workers love to hate the boss and vice versa, bosses love to hate and lord it over the workers. I googled the word ‘boss’ and pretty much all of the images shown of ‘the boss’ were derogatory. One even showed the boss dressed smartly in a suit and tie but with the head of satan!
Given that today’s passage, and the parallel passages elsewhere in the New Testament, are written to slaves and masters we have to realise that the boss/worker relationship is as close as we come to this New Testament situation. In many situations there were large parallels with our own boss/worker situation.
The Word of God has a lot to say about the boss/worker relationship. The first and foremost goal of this and of any other relationship is to glorify Christ. Can you imagine how the world would change if every Christian – employer or employee – would go to work to please Christ and not themselves and not to just make more
So how is Christ glorified in the work place? Workers are to work sincerely. There is to be no deceit in their work. That means they are to do their work whether the boss is watching or not. One Christian employer actually said to me that he has given up hiring Christians because they stop work and talk theology as soon as his back was turned. Christians are to put their heart into their work and are to do it with gusto because ultimately it’s Christ they’re serving. They are to work as though Christ Himself were their boss.
The reward for working hard is more than extra dollars in the pay. Verse 24 shows that the Lord will reward us for serving Him at work. We will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
Employers, for their part, are to provide their workers with what is right and fair. It doesn’t matter if the workers are teenagers, disabled or aged. Workers are to pay them fairly and to treat them fairly. While we have fair work arrangements in Australia, it’s still common for minority groups to be ripped off regarding pay and/or work conditions. The Scriptures ensure us that each and every boss has a Master in heaven to whom he or she will have to give an account one day. The Christian boss is to seek to glorify the Lord in the way he/she treats their employees.
Can you imagine the harmony in a work place if bosses were fair to the staff and looked out for them. Imagine if the workers could trust the boss in all matters. Imagine if workers did an honest day’s work and actually worked hard, with pride in their work. Not only would it be a harmonious workplace, it would bring great glory to Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
Using today’s Bible reading and notes spend time praying.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
à Pray that Christians in the workplace would set such a godly example in their work that many would be drawn to Christ for salvation.
à Pray that Christian employers would be so holy and righteous that employees are blessed and that Christ is glorified.
à Pray that God would provide for those who are in need of employment or work.
The way you work communicates something about the God you worship. Are you communicating a good message or a bad message about God at work?
1. Rafael wants to talk at church. He tells you that he’s been working hard in the factory for years but no one has ever asked him about Jesus. How do you counsel Rafael?
2. How can you glorify God/ Christ in your work?
3. What role does evangelism have in the work place?
4. Should work be more than just a money earning venture to allow Christians to tithe?
Intro: Most young people look forward to growing older and getting a job. What job would you like to do? If you could do any job in the world, what would it be? God shows us that having a job also brings great responsibility.
Share: what job you wanted to do as a child and how things worked out. Why did you take the job you did?
Read: Colossians 3:22-25
How does God call workers to be acting while at work?
Should these things apply to school as well? Why?
Pray Together: that God would make you a hard worker in everything.
Intro: Most young people look forward to growing older and getting a job. What job would you like to do? If you could do any job in the world, what would it be? God shows us that having a job also brings great responsibility.
Share: what job you wanted to do as a child and how things worked out. Why did you take the job you did?
Read: Colossians 3:22-25
How does God call workers to be acting while at work?
Should these things apply to school as well? Why?
Pray Together: that God would make you a hard worker in everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment