I. Introduction
A. Time at Work
1. It appears that the 9-5 work week is dead.
a. According to a recent segment on the Today Show, many of us are reading and responding to emails, engaging in business meetings, etc., before 6 am and well after 8 pm these days.
b. Here’s some good news: according to Gallup, the average number of hours the average American worked is down from 44.1 hours in 2019 to 42.9 hours in 2024.
c. The article cites a variety of reasons that people are working less, but 40+ hours is still a big investment of our time.
2. Since we spend so much time at work, and work around people much of that time, it stands to reason that, as Christians, we will have an influence.
3. What can we do to make sure that, even while at work, we are continuing to grow into the image of Christ?
4. In the section of Ephesians addressing what it means to walk in the light, Paul addresses this very topic, well, sort of.
B. Historical Context of Slavery in Scripture & the Early Church
1. In the first century, slavery was an institutional fact.
2. In translations in recent years, we have started to soften the view of slavery in the 1st century, often portraying it in a more benign or benevolent light. While this could be true, it was not always the case. Even Scripture shows us the wide range of masters’ attitudes and actions towards their slaves.
a. In a positive scene in Luke 7:1-10, the Centurion’s servant appears to be more to him than just a slave. It feels like the servant is more like family, although the text only tells us that the servant was “…highly valued by him.”
b. In a negative light, 1 Peter 2:18-20 presents the fact that sometimes masters would mistreat slaves
3. The ESV preface reminds us that the Greek word doulos (δοῦλος)was a term that had several nuances to it. In our passage today, the word is bondservant, which denotes the idea of indentured servitude for a specific period of time with freedom to be expected at the conclusion of the contract.
C. Change in Mindset
1. We begin to see a new way of looking at this societal relationship in the NT.
2. Paul introduces a new way of looking at slavery in his letters to individuals and congregations.
a. 1 Corinthians 7:20-22
b. Galatians 3:28
c. Colossians 3:11, 22; 4:1
d. Philemon
3. While this concept does not fully compare to the modern-day employer/employee relationship, there is enough of a comparison for us to understand how we are to act as Christians living in the place we spend much of our time- at work.
II. Christianity at Work
A. Good Work
1. Paul reminds us that we are to our earthly masters. (Colossians 3:22)
a. Disobedience in the workplace looks like not doing the work you’re being paid to do.
b. Illustration: The amount of time spent on personal matters while at work. One of the terms for this is Time Banditry. In a study conducted in 2019 by America Online and Salary.com, the average worker admitted to wasting around 2 hours a day at work.
2. Don’t waste time at work not being who God wants you to be! Use your time . (Colossians 4:5)
B. Attitude of
1. We are to show to our employers.
a. Illustration: Boss shaming is a thing. I have worked in many places in my time of employment, and one of the biggest challenges is to resist the temptation to badmouth the company and/or supervisor you work for. All this does is fuel the fire of discontent in yourself and your fellow employees.
b. This doesn’t mean we don’t have the right to address workplace issues, but even when we do, we must do so with humility. If you do so and don’t get an appropriate response, it might be time to look elsewhere.
2. In verse 7, we are reminded to do our work with “…a good will…” (enthusiasm, kindliness).
3. You should be one of the hardest-working, to get along with, and most productive employees in your company.
C. Work for Your
1. Remember, ultimately, your big boss is .
a. Take notice of the “…as to” statements (vs. 5-7).
b. Colossians 3:17
c. Colossians 3:22-2
2. Illustration: Maybe this week, you will need to repeat this phrase from Scripture when it gets hard to work for your boss, “…as for the Lord…”. Don’t turn off your Christianity in the workplace.
3. Paul reminds us that we are to do our work with heart, not just to be people pleasers. Work is an opportunity for us to how Christ has impacted every facet of our lives.
4. This week, don’t leave Jesus at ; bring Him to with you.
III. Conclusion
A. Rewards and Benefits
1. One of the things that has become so important in employment is the benefits package (salary, medical, retirement, etc.). What does the benefits package look like for the Christian?
2. Paul tells us that the reward for being a good employee or employer is that we will “…receive back from the Lord.”
3. What we receive is a better way to approach work and life in general.
B. Invitation
1. Our ultimate reward for being faithful until death is the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
2. Revelation 22:12 Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. (NIV)