The Reformed Home Schooler

Being a Christian Man: Part Three At Work Jun. 22, 2006

Being a Christian Man:
Part Three At Work

(From A Series I had Posted on http://canadianchristian.blogspot.com last November)

In parts 1 and 2 we looked at the responsibilities of the Christian man in finding a wife and in acting as Biblical head of his household, before going on to his role as Father I thought I would examine his role in the work place.

There are two roles that a person might fulfill in their work place Paul refers to these two roles as Masters and Bonsdservants while these are not terms used today the actual roles are still in existence. The first would be one of authority (employer, manager, supervisor etc.) and the second would be one of submission (employee, junior, assistant etc.) There is actually a third and that would be a combination of 1 and 2 (Middle Management etc.)where you have both superiors and underlings, in this situation you need to exhibit attributes of both the Authority and the Underling.

The Christian Man as an Authority (Master):

In ephesians 6:9 Paul writes; "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" He restates almost the exact same thing in Colossians 4:1 What this means for us in today's society that Christians who are "bosses" must treat those under them with fairness, we are not to take advantage of employees or treat them in a disrespectful manner. If we look at the Old Testament we see that "slaves" were considered part of the household they were in in Israel, they were even to have teh mark of the covenant placed upon them. Now we can't go baptising employees nowadays but think about how employees woudl react to a boss who treats them like a member of the his own family nuturing and caring for them. I bet you productivity would increase as well as employee satisfaction. Also think of the witness you would be for our Lord and Saviour.

Now I'm not saying that an employer shouldn't discipline an employee for actions but that discipline should be done as that of a father figure who is disciplining with the goal of correction in a spirit of Love, just as God has disciplined his people throughout the ages. A employer shouldn't allow himself to be walked over but they should be tempered in mercy and consideration for others.

The Christian Man in Submission to Authority (Bondservant):

In Ephesians 6:5 Paul writes: "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; " he also in 1 Timothy tells us; "And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved... " What he is talking about is humbling yourself to those in authority serving them with respect, working for them as you would work for Christ. He also states that you should not take adavntage of your Christian Brother who happens to be over you. Again think if all Christians were to act this way what a witness they would be to their empployers and think how desirous emloyers would be to seek out Christians as employees.

Look what the Ten Commandments say about the Christian at work:

Ok you're going through them in your head and counting them and you can't remember the one that says anything about work. I would of been with you until I looked furtehr at the fifth commandment a great exposition on this was doen by the Westminster Divines when they wrote the Larger Catechism:

Q. 123. Which is the fifth commandment?
A. A. The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Q. 124. Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?
A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God's ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.
Q. 125. Why are superiors styled Father and Mother?
A. Superiors are styled Father and Mother, both to teach them in all duties toward their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations; and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.
Q. 126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment?
A. The general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors or equals.
Q. 127. What is the honor that inferiors owe to their superiors?
A. The honor which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, word, and behavior; prayer and thanksgiving for them; imitation of their virtues and graces; willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels; due submission to their corrections; fidelity to, defense, and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places; bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honor to them and to their government.
Q. 128. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?
A. The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them; envying at, contempt of, and rebellion against their persons and places, in their lawful counsels, commands, and corrections; cursing, mocking, and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonor to them and their government.
Q. 129. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?
A. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love, pray for, and bless their inferiors; to instruct, counsel, and admonish them; countenancing, commending, and rewarding such as do well; and discountenancing, reproving, and chastising such as do ill; protecting, and providing for them all things necessary for soul and body: and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God, honor to themselves, and so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them.
Q. 130. What are the sins of superiors?
A. The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them, an inordinate seeking of themselves, their own glory, ease, profit, or pleasure; commanding things unlawful, or not in the power of inferiors to perform; counseling, encouraging, or favoring them in that which is evil; dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good;correcting them unduly; careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger; provoking them to wrath; or any way dishonoring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behavior.
Q. 131. What are the duties of equals?
A. The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other, in giving honor to go one before another; and to rejoice in each others’ gifts and advancement, as their own.
Q. 132. What are the sins of equals?
A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required, the undervaluing of the worth, envying the gifts, grieving at the advancement or prosperity one of another; and usurping preeminence one over another.
Q. 133. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment, the more to enforce it?
A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, in these words, That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, is an express promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good, to all such as keep this commandment.

Today's Recommended Readings:
The Westminster Larger Catechism by Johannes G. Vos

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