Being Wise at Work Ephesians 6:5-9

The Elephant in the Room! Why isn’t slavery condemned?

The Key Verse Ephesians 6:8 “knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” Do good Whether slave or free Because God is paying attention!

Advice for Employees Obey your boss because God wants you to 5:10 “try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” 5:17 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” 5:21 “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” “obey…doing the will of God from the heart”

Advice for Employees Obey your boss the way you obey God “as you would Christ” “as to the Lord and not to man” John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:21 “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.”

Advice for Employees Make sure you have the right attitude Sincere = simplicity Good will = goodwill, friendliness, affection, benevolence “from the heart” Make sure you have the right motive Not for eye-service Doing it because it’s the right thing to do, not because of an earthly reward

Advice for Employers Treat your employee the way you would treat Christ “do the same things to them” Be kind “giving up threatening” 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Advice for Employers Your position won’t earn you any favor with God “there is no partiality” In fact, your position of authority may mean a harsher judgment! Luke 12:48 “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”

But how about, Do unto others the way you would do unto Christ? The Bottom Line We’ve heard the golden rule: “Do unto others the way you would have them do unto you.” But how about, Do unto others the way you would do unto Christ?

Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’