45 – Rethink: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
Ephesians 6:5 – 9
Teaches us that the church is the body of Christ
Instructs us on how we are to behave as believers
Says Christians are to get along with each other
Written by Paul. He established the church at Ephesus.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. (Ephesians 6:5-9 NIV)
People complain because it gets results. If you have a legitimate concern, bring it to the table.
Charles Walgreen’s had to rethink how he did his work. It wasn’t for money. He just wanted to grow.
1. Servants/Employees are to be Obedient, Respectful and Sincere (vs. 5)
Can’t expect a heavenly blessing when you’re giving a hellish output
Be obedient, respectful and sincere no matter how they deal with you, you have a responsibility to be Christlike.
What if you worked EVERYDAY as if you were going on vacation the next day? Production is HIGH the day before someone goes on vacation so there won’t be any issues while you’re out.
Christians should be leading the pack. Not the laziest.
Paul wrote to Timothy, whoever is a slave should make the best of it.
Respect is vertical and horizontal.
2. Employees are not to be Hypocrites
Serve the same whether the employer is watching or not.
God looks at our actions and our hearts.
Don’t expect extra for doing what you’re paid to do.
Others will see the value in your work if you do.
How you value your job determines how people value you.
You have to find honor in what you’re doing…..not just when the boss is looking.
You have to be ok for the job to be ok.
3. The Lord is the Ultimate CEO
4. Supervisors are obligated to be Fair
This is hard. You can’t lead people you don’t care about. Bad employees deserve to be treated with honor and compassion. Other employees, who know who the bad employees are, are watching how you treat the bad employee. Use everything in your power to make a bad employee better.
God doesn’t see supervisor/employee. If both are Christians, He only sees His children.
Your attitude is the key to finding fulfillment. You must be thankful for what you currently have. Don’t take what you have now for granted.
Tamala R. Maddox, Ph.D.
Principal
R.F. Bumpus Middle School