“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”
“obey in all things your masters according to the flesh”
The central command to the employee is to “obey.” They are to obey their “masters” (employers in our culture). The Christian employee’s work quality should be different from those without Christ. An owner should see the difference immediately.
We would think that it would be sufficient that these slaves obey, but they are to obey “in all things.” God does not want us to justify sloppy work.
These masters are only masters “according to the flesh.” Our true master is Jesus Christ.
“not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers”
“Eyeservice” means to serve to impress others. This person serves his boss to call attention to himself. He keeps his eye on the clock. He tries to get by with as little work as possible. God wants us to do our best.
“Men-pleasers” means to fear the boss. God wants us to work in fear of Himself, not men. God desires that we go beyond the watchful eye of our employers. Some people only do a good job when their boss is watching.
Men-pleasing is a service performed only to attract attention. This is not for its own sake, nor to please God or one’s own conscience. This pleases men at the sacrifice of principle. When the boss is not watching, they loaf on the job.
God wants us to work under His watchful eye. The employee that keeps his eye on the boss and does only enough work to get by is not the biblical ideal. God wants us to put in a good day’s work.
Principle:
God wants us to work at our jobs with faithfulness and efficiency.
Application:
God’s desire for us is to do our jobs with a sense of significance. This significance comes from service of God. The boss is irrelevant in this kind of motivation. Our job should never become dreary or monotonous with this philosophy of life. God is our ultimate employer. We serve a higher cause.
The eye of God is always upon us. It should make no difference if the look of the boss is upon us. God’s sight should govern all that we do at work.
