64 Employers Commanded

Employers Commanded

"Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in Heaven." Colossians 4:1

It is the glory of the gospel, that it is no respecter of persons. It benefits all — it injures none. It deals honestly with all — and teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present life. It makes no excuse for sin; it does not treat the rich as favorites — but it comes with a rule for every conscience, and a direction for every state.

Here the Apostle speaks to masters; they must not be tyrants, for God requires them to be just; they are not to look upon servants as an inferior race of beings, nor to treat them with harshness; but to, "forbear threatening, knowing that their Master also is in Heaven, neither is there respect of persons with Him."

Masters are to be just, not wishing or seeking to get rich by the poverty of their servants; they are to treat their servants as they would wish to be treated, if they were servants. They are not to conduct themselves as if they were irresponsible; they must give account of themselves as masters, and of their conduct to their servants to God.

They are to be just to their servants, not expecting them to work unreasonable hours, or to labor beyond their strength, or to give their time and service without a fair remuneration. Servants should receive what is equal to their talents, their services, and their needs. Masters are not to indulge in threatening language — but are to conduct themselves toward their servants with mildness, Christian forbearance, and befitting respect.

Employers should always bear in mind, that their servants have souls, that their souls are of immense importance, and that it is their duty, while they employ them, to seek their salvation. No servant, who lives in a family where there is one godly person, should ever be able to say, "No one cared for my soul;" for every true Christian should care for the souls of others, especially for those by whom they are more immediately surrounded.

Masters, mistresses, you have a Master in Heaven; His eye is upon you. He is observing you when you engage your servants, and notices what you demand of them; He is observing you when you require your servants to neglect His worship, to pamper your appetite; He is observing you when you require your servants to practice deception for you; when you bid them say you are away from home, because you do not wish to be seen — the lie is yours, and is placed to your account; He is observing if you attempt to "grind the poor," in their wages, that you may more speedily become rich. "He respects not persons;" He will call you to face your servant at His bar, and give an account in His presence of your conduct toward him. Act then toward your servants, as in the sight of God, in all things approving yourselves to God; as in prospect of the judgment, as one that must give an account; and be it your determination to give unto your servants that which is just and equal, "knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven."