“Know who you are” “Recognise and resist wrong ideas” “Guidance of homosexuality” “Encourage Prayer” “Fight the battle” “God wants all to be saved” “Character of a leader” “The Value of Women” “Godliness from Jesus” “Overcoming fear in faith” “Setting an example” “Scripture and gifting” “Care for other generations” “Dealing with Gossip” “Issues facing the Church” “The love of money” “Slavery and work”

1 Timothy 6 1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. Slavery Does God/the Bible condone slavery? What relevance have these verses today?

Slavery - biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? 2 principles of Biblical interpretation 1. Authors intended meaning for first listening - THE primary understanding 2. Progressive revelation - Bible builds education & understanding Direction of teaching important

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value Exodus 3 7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. Radical and shocking for the time

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free Exodus 6 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Exodus “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result Radical and shocking for the time

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Exodus “An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Exodus “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the foreigner among you as well, may be refreshed. Radical and shocking for the time

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Leviticus “‘If any of your own people become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves.

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Deuteronomy There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward those of your people who are poor and needy in your land. 12 If any of your people, men or women, sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. Care for the poor to stop slavery

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Deuteronomy There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward those of your people who are poor and needy in your land. 12 If any of your people, men or women, sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. Care for the poor to stop slavery

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Care for the poor to stop slavery Slaves were to be set free and rewarded Deuteronomy If any of your people, men or women, sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. Slavery to be temporary to save poor Radical and shocking for the time

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Care for the poor to stop slavery Slavery to be temporary to save poor Slaves were to be set free and rewarded Deuteronomy And when you release them, do not send them away empty–handed. 14 Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the LORD your God has blessed you

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Care for the poor to stop slavery Slavery to be temporary to save poor Slaves were to be set free and rewarded Slaves were to be rescued Deuteronomy If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand them over to their master.

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Care for the poor to stop slavery Slavery to be temporary to save poor Slaves were to be set free and rewarded Slaves were to be rescued Forcing people to be slaves was a very serious crime Deuteronomy 24 7 If someone is caught kidnapping another Israelite and treating or selling that Israelite as a slave, the kidnapper must die. You must purge the evil from among you.

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Care for the poor to stop slavery Slavery to be temporary to save poor Slaves were to be set free and rewarded Slaves were to be rescued Forcing people to be slaves was a very serious crime Slave trading wrong 1 Timothy for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers... whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Care for the poor to stop slavery Slavery to be temporary to save poor Slaves were to be set free and rewarded Slaves were to be rescued Forcing people to be slaves was a very serious crime Slave trading wrong God saw slaves as having equal value 2 Kings 14 2 The LORD had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no one to help them.

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Care for the poor to stop slavery Slavery to be temporary to save poor Slaves were to be set free and rewarded Slaves were to be rescued Forcing people to be slaves was a very serious crime Slave trading wrong God saw slaves as having equal value Galatians 3 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus Radical and shocking for the time

Slavery - Biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? God is concerned for and attentive to the cries of slaves Slaves have Value God wants to set slaves free God’s law requires slaves to be treated well Slavery not what God wants Slavery came as a result of poverty – better than destitution Care for the poor to stop slavery Slavery to be temporary to save poor Slaves were to be set free and rewarded Slaves were to be rescued Forcing people to be slaves was a very serious crime Slave trading wrong God saw slaves as having equal value Poor to be given food, shelter and protection in return for temporary service The stealing of freedom, oppression and forced servitude is wrong

Slavery - biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? Bible teaches: Poor to be looked after

Slavery - biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? Bible teaches: Poor to be looked after Temporary care for poor in return for service

Slavery - biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? Bible teaches: Poor to be looked after Temporary care for poor in return for service Exploitation, oppression, trafficking and permanent owning outlawed

Slavery - biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? Bible teaches: Poor to be looked after Temporary care for poor in return for service Exploitation, oppression, trafficking and permanent owning outlawed Slaves have equal value

Slavery - biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? Bible teaches: Poor to be looked after Temporary care for poor in return for service Exploitation, oppression, trafficking and permanent owning outlawed Slaves have equal value Slaves to become Christians and become good slaves 1 Corinthians 7 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For those who were slaves when called to faith in the Lord are the Lord’s freed people; similarly, those who were free when called are Christ’s slaves. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, all of you, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation in which God called you.

Slavery - biblical overview Does God/the Bible condone slavery? Bible teaches: Poor to be looked after Temporary care for poor in return for service Exploitation, oppression, trafficking and permanent owning outlawed Slaves have equal value Slaves to become Christians and become good slaves 1 Corinthians 7 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For those who were slaves when called to faith in the Lord are the Lord’s freed people; similarly, those who were free when called are Christ’s slaves. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, all of you, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation in which God called you.

1 Timothy 6 1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. What relevance have these verses today? Principles for slavery equate to work Christians respect the boss - following instructions - not slandering - taking initiative - doing the extra

1 Timothy 6 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. What relevance have these verses today? Principles for slavery equate to work Christians respect the boss Christian bosses need to be devoted to welfare of workers safety hours compassion

1 Timothy 6 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. What relevance have these verses today? Principles for slavery equate to work Christians respect the boss Christian bosses need to be devoted to welfare of workers Purpose of work is to provide food and shelter not profit

Questions for reflection What can I do to stop slavery today? How can my attitude to work be Christ-like? How can I be devoted to the welfare of my workers? Who is in slavery around me? How grateful am I for freedom?

Spirit of God fill us That we might be good news Let Your love shine through our eyes, Your truth inspire our words, Your wisdom fill our minds, Your mercy control our hands, Your will capture our hearts, Your joy pervade our being; That we might set free the blinded, enslaved and oppressed Spirit of God anoint us

Questions for reflection What can I do to stop slavery today? How can my attitude to work be Christ-like? How can I be devoted to the welfare of my workers? Who is in slavery around me? How grateful am I for freedom?