Series Title - “The Value of Work”
Sermon Title - “The Employer, Employee Relationship.”
Donovan W. Myers
Rosemount Missionary Church
Over the last few weeks we have been trying to develop some ideas around “the value of work.” In the first instance we established the principle that work is a gift given us by God in the creation. It is through this gift that we actualize our true potential. We made three points. We said that to be a worker is to be Godlike - since we are made in the image of God and since God is a worker, then we should be workers in order to demonstrate our Godlikeness. Also, we said that to be a worker is to be Fulfilled - what gives us true self worth and satisfaction is the sense that we can participate in our own destiny and provide for our own needs; lastly, we said that to be a worker is to be Balanced . As God established work, He established the principle of rest. As we obey his desire for us to both work and rest, we develop positive balance in our lives.
Last week we made the point that stealing is not a viable alternative for work. This is so for three reasons. Firstly, Stealing goes against the heart of our faith. Secondly, Stealing robs man of his dignity. Thirdly, Stealing denies man the opportunity to serve his brethren.
Today we move away from the fact of work to look at the relationships involved in the workplace. So we look at the relationship between the employer and the employee. Hear what Paul says about this to the Christians at Ephesus in Ephesians 6:5-9.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your earthly masters, with respect and fear in sincerity as unto Christ; not only when their eyes are on you because you want to please them; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Do your service as unto the Lord and not to men; knowing that whatever good thing any man does, he will receive the same of the Lord whether he be bond or free. And you masters, do the same things unto them. Do not threaten them; knowing that your master also is in heaven; and he does not show favoritism.
As you read this passage, some things must be borne in mind. (1) There is an Equality in Responsibility. The jobs and expectations are not necessarily and all the same, there is obviously positional difference, but both employer and employee have responsibilities towards each other. No one is left out. Therefore, wether you work for someone or you have someone working for you, you have a responsibility to them.
(2) There is an Emphasis on Personal Responsibility. Notice that in Paul’s instructions, more time is spent talking about the employee’s side. This is so, not only because it is equalized by the blanket statement made in verse 9 which says “...masters, treat your slaves in the same way...”, but also because Paul’s audience is made up of mostly employees. So you notice that when the Bible speaks, it always comes down to my responsibility. Even when it speaks to large groups, it always comes back to personal duties and individual responsibilities. So here, Paul places the onus squarely on the shoulders of his listeners.
(3) There is an Extreme Use of Terms when Defining the Responsibilities. The terms Slaves and Master are used. A Slave is a bondman or a man of servile condition. A Master is a lord, one who has control of a person. The terms seem very harsh and drastic to be used. At a glance it may seem as they are legitimizing the owning of slaves by masters. This is not Paul’s burden. He is speaking in the context of a reality which faced his audience. So the harsh terms “Slave” and “Master” must be understood with the following in mind
(a) they are specific to the culture, the fact of masters and slaves was commonplace and acceptable; so that even in an evil situation, their is place for Christian responsibility;
(b) it was the situation which most closely equates our employer-employee relationship today;
(c) the sharpness in distinction in the terms (master and slave) makes it even more striking when they are both told to treat each other the same way. The fact that the responsibility to each other is the same, recognizes their difference in position, but their sameness in Christ.
How then should we understand what Paul says about how those who work must behave towards those for whom they work, and vice versa? Two principles are suggested which both Employers and Employees must apply to the carrying out of their duties and in relating with one another.
Firstly, ALL WORK MUST BE DONE AS UNTO GOD. The words used to describe the quality of treatment which is expected of the employee and in turn of the employer speak of respect, sincerity and obedience to Christ. These words indicate the realities of that relationship. The relationship of employer/employee is given as picture of God’s relationship with his children. This positional difference illustrates God’s dominance over us and as such, the employer represents God to his workers. So that the responsibilities become even more significant. On the one hand, the worker must recognize that his treatment of his employer is indicative of how he treats God; On the other hand, the employer must always remember that if he is to carry out his duties well he must strive to be Godlike in his actions and motivations. The case of the Israelites in the wilderness is a good case in point. When they murmured and complained against Moses, God was displeased because he interpreted it as murmuring and complaining against Himself. And on the side of the leader, when Moses, in his fit of rage against the people, struck the rock when he was told by God to speak to it, then God punished him by not allowing him to see the promised land.
So that when the boss loses his cool and rants and raves, cursing his worker to the dehumanizing point of tears, he is not being an effective leader. Rather, he is failing in his duty to render service to his employee as unto Christ. And when the worker, upset with his boss, neglects his job or cuts the corners, he is not being clever or simply getting even. Rather, he is failing in his duty to Christ to perform to the best of his ability as unto Christ.
The Second principle is, THEY MUST TREAT EACH OTHER AS THEY WISH TO BE TREATED THEMSELVES. The employee is essentially equal to his employer. He is no less of a person. He is made of the same substance. They are cut from the same cloth. With this in mind, the relationship must bear our commonality of personhood. Of course they don’t have the same job title or authority, but they are both persons. So you can’t treat each other any old way since for you must love as you love yourself. How should you treat each other? Paul says, with MERCY.
The application of mercy to any relationship with another human being is perhaps the best way to recognize your own humanity. For it is only when you recognize that all human beings stand in need of mercy and therefore you will require mercy to be shown to you at some point; then is when you see how wise and charitable it is to temper your dealings with mercy. So don’t be high handed and self righteous. Tiday fi mi, tomorrow fi you.
If mercy is applied to the working relationship, then bosses will provide equitable wages and better working conditions; and workers will not be stingy, exact or downright dishonest with the work time. If mercy is the watchword, then employers will attempt to put themselves in the place of their workers and be most understanding of their needs; and employees will do the same and help out and go the extra mile out of genuine interest and compassion.
Rules are important in order to have proper functioning relationships. Yet even more important, is the need for a correct disposition. An healthy outlook on life. A Christ driven desire to honour God.
We can do that in our work when we do our duty as unto Christ and treat our employer/employee as we would like to be treated. What then do you need to change before you head out for work tomorrow?
