1tim6v1-2

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1 TIMOTHY 6:1-21 PASSAGE: v1-2 [Series 19]

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.

Most of the commentators interpret these words (rightly so) as an exhortation/those Christian slaves/1st century to give respect unto their slave owning masters
Furthermore, they recognise that there was such a thing as Christian slave owners who were to be respected in that position
This caused some folk great problems and especially so around the time of the American Civil War when slavery became an issue in the American churches and especially in the Southern states where the vast majority/slaves where to be found
Please notice that Paul does not call for slavery to be abolished
There is no record for any character in the Bible so calling for it to be abolished and the slaves to be set free
Indeed, here we have slavery partly regulated
I don’t want to get into a debate on the greater subject, yet what I am saying here cannot be denied

It has been argued that the Bible saw the overthrow of slavery by more subtle means – it burrowed under its foundation and eventually brought it tumbling down and banished forever
Let me say that I would not like to be a slave to any man
OTOH: if I was plucked from a heathen barbarism and brought into the love/care of a Christian slave owner (and it did happen) and through it brought to Christ, then I would have to say that this was better than to be left to perish in my heathenism

The same commentators apply these verses to the idea of Christians working in the world of commerce/industry etc.,
Here our labour is voluntary, but the issues are exactly the same
When many of the freed US slaves fled north after the ACW – they were introduced into what became known as factory slavery where they were paid very low wages for very long and arduous work and were left to defend for themselves when sick etc.,
There are still sweat shops today, just about 1o above slavery
So these words carry much more than a mere historical value
5 main thoughts to consider:

1) CHRISTIANITY REACHES RIGHT INTO THE WORKPLACE:

A/ The Bible says that Jesus Christ is Lord of all (Acts 10:36)
His authority reaches into every last place on this universe
No “God free zone” where we can shake off our obligation/Him
Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? (Psalm 139:7)
That means that God’s writ runs into every avenue of life
It affects everything that we do
It ought to guide us when/how we vote – where and how we work – how we spend our leisure time etc.,
We are bound to word/God and would not have it any other way
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:128)
Whatsoever we do – do all to the glory/God (1 Corinthians 10:31)

B/ Workplace is a vitally important place to get this right:
[i] Vitally important place in its own right
Much of a nation’s welfare stands/falls in the workplace

[ii] Here the Believer spends approximately 1/3 of his week

[iii] Here he mixes often in difficult circumstances with all kinds of people – many of whom are very ungodly

[iv] Here, he is often abused and his faith challenged

[v] Here, he can make an impact for the gospel sake
Therefore we ought to view the workplace as a mission field in its own right and let it be seen that when we say that Jesus is our Lord – then we mean it 100%/time in 100%/places
Paul is going about here to see that we do this right
He tells us how this can be achieve maxim results under God

C/ Let us thank God: we are not left on our own in this matter
This whole world is a minefield – the casualties are many
We need a roadmap – a route that will bring us safely through
We have it here in the word/God both by precept/example

2) OUR MASTERS MUST BE TREATED WITH RESPECT:

A/ Our masters here would be our bosses
Not [only] someone else’s boss – do distant bosses look easier?
But our own masters must be counted worthy of all honour

B/ In many firms – the bosses are not worthy of any respect
They cheat everyone round them, and are horrible to work for
What then? How do we cope with the problems this raises?
If we count worthy what is obviously so unworthy, then are we
in danger of calling good evil, and evil good (Isaiah 5:20)
This has the most injurious effect of removing the line of separation which God has erected between good and evil
How can we hate every evil way as seen before in Psalm 119:128?
Therefore … a woe pronounced against those who engage in it
Answer is simple:
We honour what we can rightly honour without compromising
Obviously (relating to work related issues) – we should not put ourselves into the position of working in a wicked occupation
E.g. No Christian (ordinarily) should ever work for a bookie!
There are many more honest callings than that
The drink trade would be another one to avoid
Let the Christian put his hand to something that benefits people
Our Lord Jesus was a carpenter – Paul: A tentmaker
Luke (gospel writer) was the beloved physician
Book/Proverbs abounds with exhortations re: honest scales etc.,

C/ Often people owe a big debt to their boss
He could easily have employed someone else to do their job
Fair enough – he may be making money on our labour
Fair enough – we are worthy of our hire (v18) and ought to be paid accordingly and the Bible has stiff words for those masters who have held back the hire/labourers and got fat as a result:
James 5:1-6 makes for distressing reading
But it is also evident that where there is high unemployment, then the lot of the people is very hard indeed
Give me neither poverty nor riches (Proverbs 30:8)
Not riches – lest I be rich and deny the Lord
But neither poverty (outcome/unemployment) lest I steal (v9)
Reality is that millions people are grateful for their jobs
They respect their masters and both greatly benefit

D/ Consider how Paul sought to have Philemon receive the runaway slave (Onesimus) back into favour again
Philemon had the legal liberty to exact revenge again upon his runaway slave and treat him harshly
But not according to the law/Christ where there is neither bond or free (Galatians 3:28) and where we love one another
I do not doubt that Philemon treated this young man kindly and that there grew up a great respect between master/worker

3) FAILURE TO HONOUR AND RESPECT OUR MASTERS IMPACTS NEGATIVELY UPON THE GOSPEL:

A/ Paul fears that the name/God and His doctrine: blasphemed
Let us suppose that a Christian does blow the whistle somewhere along the line or quietly withdraws his labour because he simply cannot honestly stay on
One reaction of an angry employer: blaspheme God/Christianity
That cannot be helped by the Christian
He is not in the least way responsible for such
When Christ exposed the greedy business actions of the money changers/temple – it helped drave Pharisees to ult. crucify Him
Yet we do not lay the blame/consequences at the door/Christ

Surely to stay in some circumstances would produce the same?
Even among unsaved people, there is a standard of right/wrong
There are unsaved people who would not tolerate what some Christians would tolerate
The issue here is not being the cause of the blasphemy
Because when we are – it has an eternal effect/souls
We are often the only Bible that people read
Sometimes they only “read this Bible” during work hours
Do they see Christ?

B/ Consider the positive aspect of living/Christian life even in the various pressures of the workplace
Consider the positive aspect of giving a full days work for a full days pay and doing it for a higher motive than earthly gain
Our motive in all that we do ought to be the glory/God
We want the name of God/His doctrine to be praised
We want it to be so praised so that work colleagues will be moved by the godly example of Christians to seek the Lord
If unbelieving husbands can be moved by the godly living of their wives without the word to seek the Lord (1 Peter 3:1) then the same principle applies to unbelieving work mates
That has happened many, many times
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (Zechariah 8:23)

If you are cheerful in your work, even amidst the many trials and tribulations that will doubtless tax your faith there, then it will back up a million fold the things that you are trying to say
OTOH: If you are no different to/rest, you have a harder job

C/ Please notice, the emphasis that Paul puts on doctrine:
Doctrine is one of those words that even Christians flee from
Especially mushy ones who emanate fluff and bubbles
Some might even say: What has doctrine got to do with every day life and in the workplace of all places?
We reply: Everything
If you are interested in seeing people converted/Christ, then the doctrine that you believe, practice and employ in the task will be all important
No one ever got saved without doctrine
The phrase “the name/God” means nothing without explanation
Multi-faithism never saved a soul and has damned many
It all needs to be explained and developed – that’s doctrine
When a man believes to the saving of His soul, then can be said:
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (Romans 6:17)
Everything needful here (humanly speaking) rests on the credible profession of every Christian in the workplace

D/ Whatever gripes there may be (do exist) yet let them not affect our honouring of our master – not worth it

4) FAILURE TO HONOUR AND RESPECT OUR MASTERS IMPACTS NEGATIVELY UPON THE FELLOWSHIP:

A/ Supposing our boss is a fellow Christian?
Suppose we have a business related gripe with him?
While we rightly expect unsaved men to be fair with us, we also recognise that many of them are purely driven with greed
We might find it easier to deal with that
But what if the boss is a Christian and in the fellowship?
Is he is even living two lives – saint (Lord’s Day) and sinner (rest)
That can be very hard to grapple with

B/ Sometimes, there is no real gripe at all
Just a little bit of jealousy on our part
Maybe he got breaks that we could never have gotten
And we struggle with that and it nudges us into sin
Already mentioned jealousy and it is usually a just a starter sin
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (Proverbs 27:4)
If this is the case, we need to apply some quick acting remedy!
Paul gives us a little cream to rub on the sore here:
Let us not despise them– they are brethren

[i] In the same family as you and me – as equals

[ii] They have the same Heavenly Father who loves us both

[iii] If he has more privileges – then he has more responsibilities
[iv] He has a duty towards you extending even to the workplace:
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

[v] Despising such a one will not get you anywhere
If this man is at fault – then in meekness restore him (Galatians 6:1)
He is not automatically over you in the confines of the church
Maybe it can be sorted
But if we are eaten with jealousy or frustrated with God, then despising another will not help the situation one iota
Rather, it eat into: very vitals of your walk/God and destroy it

C/ That impacts the whole fellowship
You could be the Achan in the camp (Joshua 7)
You could be the small bit/leaven that affects: whole lump
That’s no good thing for anyone

Learn to love the believing boss for Christ’s sake
If God loves him - can you not do likewise
Maybe you say: “I’m not God…”
Reply: “If this man is at fault…God is more struck at than you will ever be – learn to love the brethren for Christ’s sake.”

5) WE NEED TO BE TAUGHT THESE THINGS AND CONSTANTLY EXHORTED TO PERFORM THEM:

A/ As if it were not enough that the Apostle should but state these things – he adds the extra word/exhortation to Timothy
Keep these truths before the people in a frequent/active way

B/ The matter is a very sensitive one and we might be apt to try and push it away from our attention
Obviously, the last thing we want to do is to keep raising issues that could divide people and cause friction
But they can be dealt with in such a way as to prevent misunderstanding arising and then trouble brewing , before blowing up and doing damage
A Christian pastor cannot preach too much on the theme of God’s people loving one another and seeking each others edification

C/ Let it be followed through with exhortation also
Often not enough to but state the duty and leave it there
We are all a pretty slow lot!
A bare exhortation is not the best way to go about it
In book/Hebrews (13:22) Paul wrote:
I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation:
Yet (as seen) it comes at the end of an epistle which Paul refers to in the same verse: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
IOW: We should only exhort after we give adequate reasons why our exhortation is worth listening to and following through
This was something for Timothy to work at

I trust that we too will bear these things in mind
We do not live in a perfect world
But we have a perfect Saviour and we ought to make the most of what He has provided us with
There is always great gain in doing the will of God no matter what our station is
Let us not aspire to be a master without Christ
Better to be the servant in such a case and serve Christ first and in serving Christ, also serve our earthly masters to God’s glory

THE END

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