Be Respected - Show Respect
1 Timothy 6:1-2 (NIV) "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. 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."
(The Message MSG) "Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don't blame God and our teaching for his behavior. Slaves with Christian masters all the more so - their masters are really their beloved brothers!"
This made me think of my work place, and the many work places I have been at over the years. If you think of it - we ARE like slaves in our work places. If you had to go through a hiring process, compete with others for the position, and are now being paid money for it - that is like being "bought" as a slave. Hmmm.... Even back 2,000 years ago, slaves heard the Truth, and their hearts were changed. Even in their slavery, they could believe in their hearts in Jesus, and actually be "free" even though they were still enslaved. To some of us, our job feels like we are in bondage. Living for the paycheck. Serving a boss that may be less than ideal. That's ok - if WE change our hearts and minds, and "serve" our job and boss as if we were working for and serving Jesus - what a difference we would be!! The "respect" part got me in the verses. We need to NOT be involved in any type of slander, gossip, or negativism in our work place (or in our own head)! Those types of behaviors are a stumbling block to others. WE need to be respectful towards our bosses no matter what! We are to be respectful to our bosses (masters) no matter how they believe. When we work for a fellow Christian, we are actually working for a brother or sister in Christ. We need to be respectful even more! Yes - even if they are human, and accidentally mess up at times. We are ALL sinners, and we ALL mess up, so don't judge them and their actions - instead pray all the more for them, to be held up by the Holy Spirit. Guided and directed to follow what is worthy of praise towards God. Our prayers go a LONG way in our work place, believe me - I KNOW this is true!!
Today, lets go through the ABC's and pray for our boss and fellow employees. Pray for things that will make the work place prosper, bless the people, and unite everyone together. Attitudes, abilities, water-cooler-talk, productivity, dead-lines.... This time of year is hard for a lot of businesses with year-end totals and new budgets due. Bless your place of work - pray for it and your boss and those who you work with and under. Have a GREAT day! I'm excited for you and the ways you WILL see God working and answering prayers for you and your work place! KNOW that you are loved! God has plans for you, and WILL bless you!
(The Message MSG) "Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don't blame God and our teaching for his behavior. Slaves with Christian masters all the more so - their masters are really their beloved brothers!"
This made me think of my work place, and the many work places I have been at over the years. If you think of it - we ARE like slaves in our work places. If you had to go through a hiring process, compete with others for the position, and are now being paid money for it - that is like being "bought" as a slave. Hmmm.... Even back 2,000 years ago, slaves heard the Truth, and their hearts were changed. Even in their slavery, they could believe in their hearts in Jesus, and actually be "free" even though they were still enslaved. To some of us, our job feels like we are in bondage. Living for the paycheck. Serving a boss that may be less than ideal. That's ok - if WE change our hearts and minds, and "serve" our job and boss as if we were working for and serving Jesus - what a difference we would be!! The "respect" part got me in the verses. We need to NOT be involved in any type of slander, gossip, or negativism in our work place (or in our own head)! Those types of behaviors are a stumbling block to others. WE need to be respectful towards our bosses no matter what! We are to be respectful to our bosses (masters) no matter how they believe. When we work for a fellow Christian, we are actually working for a brother or sister in Christ. We need to be respectful even more! Yes - even if they are human, and accidentally mess up at times. We are ALL sinners, and we ALL mess up, so don't judge them and their actions - instead pray all the more for them, to be held up by the Holy Spirit. Guided and directed to follow what is worthy of praise towards God. Our prayers go a LONG way in our work place, believe me - I KNOW this is true!!
Today, lets go through the ABC's and pray for our boss and fellow employees. Pray for things that will make the work place prosper, bless the people, and unite everyone together. Attitudes, abilities, water-cooler-talk, productivity, dead-lines.... This time of year is hard for a lot of businesses with year-end totals and new budgets due. Bless your place of work - pray for it and your boss and those who you work with and under. Have a GREAT day! I'm excited for you and the ways you WILL see God working and answering prayers for you and your work place! KNOW that you are loved! God has plans for you, and WILL bless you!
Comments