Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ; not only while being watched, and in order to please them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free. And, masters, do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.
Reflection
As Aretha Franklin says, it’s all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Otherwise, you end up with the fallout described in the Billy Talent song “Rusted from the Rain”, with such lyrics as “I used to be your lapdog, now I’m just a stray”; “among the broken mirrors, I don’t look the same”, etc. The song is about the painful collapse of a relationship and the toxic dynamic where both partners have worn each other down to emotional exhaustion. Have you ever felt like this about your work??
The relationship between employer and employee can feel like this. There is a fine line between being the “master” or “boss” and being the “servant” or “worker”. If each treat each other with respect and both work with integrity, the relationship works and the job gets done. If neither are present, then there is resentment and an inability to do a good job. This is particularly prevalent if a particular worker seems to be favoured more than another.
The system in which master and slave are working at the time the letter was written was flawed, with slaves being seen as mere property, rather than people. Until that mind set changed, there could be no improvement. God is the perfect supervisor, with no favourites, and respect for all, no matter what position is held. If we are to emulate this responsibility, then we will succeed in changing flawed systems and improving the conditions for all. Working to the best of our ability, whether someone is watching, and appreciating the work done will lead to healthy relationships. Refusal to work if no-one is there, or bullying in the workplace leads only to toxic environments.
May we respect each other, work with integrity and value each other’s skills and abilities, with no favourites, as our Master requires.
Prayer
Lord God, whether we rule or are ruled; manage or are managed, serve or are served, may we lead by example and truly value each other.
Help us to have no favourites, and work to the best of our ability, whatever we do especially when no-one is watching.
Teach us to live with integrity, empathy and fairness, whatever our position, that your name be glorified in all that we do.
Amen
