Friday, August 27, 2009
Right Relationships
(Ephesians 6:1-9)
Life is made up of relationships. And, in many ways, the richness of our lives depends upon them. Most folks are not geared to be “loaners,” as loneliness is said to be the most disparaging of human emotions. The bottom line: we need others to make our lives complete. The tough reality: relationships always produce friction!
Ephesians 6 gives believers simple instructions for minimizing the friction of our relationships. For example, the parent/child relationship runs more smoothly when children obey and honor their parents (1, 2). Perhaps less obvious is Paul’s instruction to fathers, “provoke not your children to wrath” (4). Relationships, you see, are a two-way street.
Paul also mentions the key relationship of employer/employee (5-9). In fact, the bulk of today’s reading centers on this subject. He enjoins employees to obedience, reverence and loyalty (5). In addition, Paul emphasized the necessity of employees having their “heart” in their work, recognizing their tasks as the “will of God” (6). Now that’s a high work ethic!
Employers must function in their capacity with the same attitude toward their employees (9). The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Mt. 7:12), applies well to workplace relationships. In addition, employers are warned against threatening employees as a method of motivation. Christian employers must recognize their own subordination to Christ and treat their employees accordingly.
