Attitude Check
ICS Daily Devotions

1 Timothy 6: 1-2 (NKJV) Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

We need to understand how to position ourselves in good and bad times. To serve God well in the marketplace, we must have a solid relationship with Him because we will need His wisdom in our interactions with others, particularly with our bosses. We also need to maintain peace and ensure that we are physically and emotionally healthy to finish well.

First and foremost, we need to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of His Word in our lives, allowing it to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us in righteousness. Secondly, we need to acknowledge that God is the supreme authority over all authorities established by Him.

The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to teach the believers how to relate to their masters, whether they were Christians or not. Christian slaves were to be the salt and light of the world, and their attitude and conduct at work were a testimony to the Lord. Paul said that those in slavery should regard their masters with honour rather than harbouring bitterness and resentment toward them. That’s the attitude one should have toward the master.

Although we have expectations towards our Christian bosses, it is easy to stumble in our faith if we are not mindful that they are as human as we are, with both strengths and weaknesses. We should not expect Christian bosses to be so full of grace and mercy that they lack expectations for good performance or shy away from disciplining or giving honest appraisals when necessary. Christian bosses should treat both Christian and non-Christian staff with impartiality. Meanwhile, Christian staff should set an example by being exemplary workers. Honouring the master means we should never bite the hand of the one God uses to feed our families. Therefore, we should refrain from backstabbing or playing politics against our bosses.

As Christians, we believe our work is a form of worship unto God. Therefore, we should go the extra mile to help our employer succeed. When we have a spirit of excellence, wisdom and competence, take the right initiatives, and honour our superiors, we are worshipping God in the workplace. Moreover, when we intercede for the company and its leaders and actively support the organisation, we become a tremendous blessing to the team. When we align ourselves with the company’s vision and strategy, everyone will want us on their team. So, do you honour and respect your bosses? Is your attitude toward them a good testimony to the Lord?

Sermon Series: Hopefully Contented