Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed. 1 Timothy 6:1
Old Charlie ran a building supply business, and he had a difficult time keeping staff to run things. It was little wonder, because Charlie paid his help only the minimum allowed, and expected them to work long hours. He was demanding and demeaning to his employees, harshly critical of mistakes that they made. It was not a pleasant work environment, and staff turnover was high. In fact, only one of his employees had been with the business for more than a year, and that employee was a Christian named Bob. Bob had badly needed the job, although he had heard that Charlie was a hard man to work for. During his first months there, Bob endured scathing criticism when he failed to move fast enough to satisfy his crusty boss, or when he made even the slightest mistake. Through it all, Bob always responded to Charlie in a friendly tone, always agreeing to even the most unreasonable demands, and always showing the greatest of respect toward the old man. In time, Charlie eased up on Bob, and treated him a little more humanely, even giving him a wage increase and a bonus at Christmas. And when Bob invited Charlie to a Gospel meeting, Charlie agreed to come. He told others that only a real Christian would treat him with the respect that Bob showed to him. Bob was in full compliance with today’s text.
Paul wrote today’s text at a time when slavery was common, and when many of the Christians were slaves. In fact, Paul is referring specifically to slaves in this verse. If we can imagine being in such a situation, we can imagine how difficult it would be to show respect to our masters. Working with no hope of compensation or even decent treatment, there would be no incentive other than to avoid punishment for a slave to honour his master. And yet, Paul says there is a higher purpose to be served. The owner of a slave would surely know if the slave was a Christian. Such an owner might prohibit his slave from witnessing to him, but he could never prohibit the slave from showing the love of Christ to him. A Christian slave who refused to honour his master would be treated with contempt by the master, who would mock him and mock his God. No, it would not be easy for the slave, but it would cause him to stand out from other slaves, and it would allow the Christian to testify of Christ when given an opportunity.
Our society does not use slavery as in days of old, but there are many Christians who are in employment situations that are uncomfortable, unrewarding, and unpleasant, and they cannot leave those situations. It is these dear folks who are exhorted to not only ‘hang in there’ but also to show an attitude of Christ toward their employers and supervisors.
In many cases, their respectful attitude will go unnoticed, although we can never tell what impact it will have. But in any event, such an attitude will not give others an avenue to blaspheme God. And for that, the faithful and longsuffering Christian is to be commended highly. – Jim MacIntosh