This passage tells how we are view work. I learned several things about work from my dad. It is a blessing to have a job (he grew up in the Great Depression). It is a remarkable thing to have options to pick a career. Meaningful work is good for we were created to do it. Perhaps the most striking is this: It is more important how you do your job than what it is. Any job can be done to the glory of God.

While this text deals with the attitudes and actions of slaves, it is more applicable to us by exchanging the word employee for slave and boss for master. There are fundamental differences between employees and slaves (e.g., slaves cannot quit and cannot go home and have a life outside of the job), but there are similarities. The employee is to give proper respect to the boss and follow his or her orders.

In other places, St. Paul urges slaves to gain their freedom if they can, but note that it was possible to be a faithful follower of Jesus even as a slave. Since this is true, we know that it is possible to serve God in any job. A Christian views his job as an opportunity to glorify God.

Verse 1 tells us that we should view our boss with all proper respect so that God’s name would not be slandered. Any worker who is lazy and disrespectful will hurt his own reputation. Yet there is more at stake than that. The reputation of Christ is on the line. When people look at you, they judge your Christian testimony by your actions. If you give proper respect and actions, not only will you be well thought of, but so will other Christians.

An example of this is seen by those who teach English as a second language in China. Many Christians have found this a way to get into China where they can share their life and faith with the people there. The Chinese leadership is not atheistic and non-Christian, yet it likes Christians to come and teach because they do a good job and show love for the students. They do not demonstrate immoral behavior the way some non-Christians do. The Chinese see the good works and the gospel gets a hearing.

Verse 2 says that we should also show respect to our Christian bosses and not presume that they will cut us a lot of slack because we are brothers in Christ. If anything, we should work harder because God loves them and because we love them. We want their company to succeed. What a joy it is to work with Christians and prayerfully bring God’s presence right into the workplace. God will be with you in all of you’re appointments and plans.

What if your boss is a poor boss or even mean toward you? You can always gage your options at transferring, but be careful that you do not transfer out of the situation that God has designed to bring about changes and growth in you. If you find yourself working for a difficult boss, be sure to pray for him or her every day. In times past, I have found that on the days that I prayed for my difficult boss, things went better. Perhaps God worked in him or perhaps in me, but God was at work.

Verse 6 also deals with our attitude towards work and money. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Our employment is not just a means to bring us more money, which will in turn bring us happiness. More work does not always bring more money. More money does not automatically bring more joy. Our work is a means of glorifying God, not just to add to our own bank account. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (v 10). God created all things for his own glory and he created them good. When we set our minds after created things and serve them, then we are engaged in idolatry.

Human beings were made to be dazzled. We were made to worship. If we do not worship the Creator (who is ever praised), then we will worship something else—something created. This can be expressed through the way we work as well. "Workaholics" are really serving their jobs the way they should serve their God.

People can see by the way you work whether your work is serving God or serving something else. When you are able to take a day of rest from your work, it is a witness that God’s word is important to you. When you can take time away from making money and do volunteer work, it shows your Christian heart of service. Not only does it show this to others, it shows it to your heart. You can see the work of the Holy Spirit in your life when you are free from serving the idols of money.

You show that the gospel is real when you trust in the Lord and are confident in his provision, being content and grateful rather than chasing after just a bit more to make you happy. May you be content in Christ.