This document discusses biblical passages about slaves obeying their earthly masters and masters treating their slaves/employees justly. It encourages Christians to work diligently and with integrity as unto the Lord, whether as employees or employers. Both are reminded that God is the true master and will reward good works, so employees should serve wholeheartedly and employers should lead with care, fairness and without threats. The overarching message is that all people deserve to be treated with dignity as image-bearers of God.

3. I AM REWARDED

4. EPHESIANS 6:5-9
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with
fear and trembling, with a sincere heart,
as you would Christ,
6 not by the way of eye-service, as
people-pleasers, but as servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the
heart,

5. EPHESIANS 6:5-9
7 rendering service with a good will as to
the Lord and not to man,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone
does, this he will receive back from the
Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop
your threatening, knowing that He who is
both their Master and yours is in heaven,
and that there is no partiality with Him.

6. THE HARD TOPIC
OF SLAVERY

7. SLAVES AND
MASTERS

8. People are made with dignity,
value, and worth in the image and
likeness of God.
To mistreat a person is to
disrespect God.

9. Greek word for
“slave” = “doulos”
which means servants

10. SLAVERY IN
ROMAN SOCIETY

11. There were at least four ways that
someone became a slave in
Roman society:

12. JUST CONDITIONS
1. Paying off a debt
2. Work as a slave

13. UNJUST CONDITIONS
1. People were taken as prisoners of
war.
2. Sometimes slaves were previously
abandoned infants.

14. GOOD WORKS THAT
GOD HAS PREPARED
IN ADVANCE FOR US
TO DO:

15. EPHESIANS 2:10
10 For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk
in them.

16. Jesus worked as a carpenter in
His younger years.

17. Your work is another way to
worship God as Christians.

18. CHRISTIAN
EMPLOYEES

19. EPHESIANS 6:5
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with
fear and trembling, with a sincere heart,
as you would Christ,

20. OBEY

21. We’re sinners by nature and
choice. We need to be under
authority.

22. The Bible tells us to lead
peaceable and quiet lives and to
pray for those who are in
authority over us.

23. DON’T STEAL FROM
YOUR COMPANY.

24. EPHESIANS 6:6-7
6 not by the way of eye-service, as
people-pleasers, but as servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the
heart,
7 rendering service with a good will as to
the Lord and not to man,

25. 1. Unclear job expectations
2. No skill for the job
3. Don’t want to do the job
SOME REASONS FOR THE
LACK OF SUCCESS:

26. THINGS TO
CONSIDER FOR
SUCCESS

27. 1. Have an excellent Christian
attitude and character in the
workplace.

28. 2. Finish your job in an
excellent way.

29. 3. Always work for the benefit
of your company.

30. 4. Have the initiative to cover
your bosses “blindspot”.

31. 5. Maintain quality teamwork.

32. EPHESIANS 6:8
8 knowing that whatever good anyone
does, this he will receive back from the
Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

33. CHRISTIAN
EMPLOYERS

34. EPHESIANS 6:9
9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop
your threatening, knowing that He who is
both their Master and yours is in heaven,
and that there is no partiality with Him.

35. Treat your employees as
God treats you.

36. CARE FOR YOUR
EMPLOYEES.

37. Love and care for those
under your leadership.

38. Give a fair salary, a decent
benefits package.

39. DON’T THREATEN.

40. BOSSES WORK FOR
THE BOSS.

41. INTERNAL, EXTERNAL, ETERNAL
JESUS’ REWARD IS
THREE-FOLD:

42. OPPORTUNITY TO
RESPOND

43. Invest your time, talent and
treasures in the kingdom of
God.

44. Invest your time, talent and
treasures in the kingdom of
God.
The Story of John Leonard Dober and
David Nitschman