WE ARE UNIONIZED!

„Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.”

(Ephesians 6,5-8 / The Message Bible)

Being united with Christ, we are always in His presence. The phrase „always with an eye to obeying the real master” reminds us of our true identity. Our unique status in this world is realized when we trust the Master’s promise about the eternal significance of our work here. For jobs done well, the believer is doubly paid for.

I remember situations when I witnessed the bad behavior of church-folk in the work place. How shamefully they misused the extra trust they have enjoyed! At my first job in America, as a janitor in a K-Mart, I was left alone by the manager to ready the store for opening in the morning. A group of men from a local congregation, hired to do maintenance jobs, stayed with me once a month. I was literally afraid of those nights. My workload was doubled. Someone had to cover for their laziness and carelessness. They would discuss church matters, conduct Bible-study and watch religious programs in the TV section, and even sleep – while being paid by another member of their church.

On the other hand, as the pastor of an ethnic church, I witness the blessings and special care the Lord bestows on those who obey Him. Overcoming obstacles, known only by immigrants, the men and women of our congregation proved to be excellent investments for their employers. They have truly become “contributing members of the society”. Their excellence at the workplace is our church’s testimony. This could happen because we are “unionized” – with Christ.

I write these, to encourage you to become a servant - in the Biblical sense of the word. The first recipients of Paul’s letter were slaves. Children of God, yet, having no legal rights, and being treated as commercial commodities. In his commentary, William Barclay sites a story written by Juvenal, of a slave owner whose greatest pleasure was “listening to the sweet song of his slaves being flogged”. If the Master expected them, our slave brothers and sisters living in the First Century “to work with a smile on their face”, shouldn’t we be encouraged by the Word that, we are really serving God – “no matter who happens to be giving the orders”?

Lord, help your children to the realization that you are their boss even at the workplace! Bless them with the joy of serving you, while taking care of their various responsibilities. I pray for their safety at work, and for your protection on their way home. Amen.