Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
A believer, especially those in the working class, ought to give careful meditation upon this passage.
At first blush, we learn a difficult lesson
Count your master worthy of all honor. It says, “all honor” and not just honor. This is unconditional and unlimited honor. We don’t choose to honor them only when they are honorable. We don’t just give them the honor we believe is their due. We give them all honor.
And we are told why. “That the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed.” We are to do it for the sake of the Lord. Even if we feel like they do not deserve any honor, we are to count them worthy of all honor for the sake of the Lord.
The second lesson may be more challenging yet.
If we happen to have a master who is a believer, we are to take care that we do not despise him.
It could be, and often is, that a Christian has a more difficult time with a believing boss than with an unbelieving one. The Christian expects the unbeliever to be in business for material gain. The Christian might forgive the unbelieving master because he knows his master does not know the Lord.
But what about the believing master? Should he expect less of his workers just because he is a Christian? Granted, he is instructed to treat those in his yoke fairly. He is a pay them that which is just and equal. But is he honestly expected to place no expectations or fewer expectations on his workers because of his faith? Is it wrong for the believing master to desire gain from his business and those working in it?
The believing laborer ought to serve that master productively because he is a believer. The benefit they are both partakers of is salvation. Don’t serve him less because he is saved. Serve him thankfully because he is saved.
And for sure, don’t let yourself criticize him because he is saved.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824
For this and, more than 5500 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.
If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.
For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.
My books are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org
No comments:
Post a Comment