“Whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them.”
—Jesus Christ, AD 30
This Bible Bite is for those who claim to be a Christian. Regardless of a Christian’s role or placement in society, God expects we will honour the Golden Rule. Christians at every level in the workplace — frontline, team leaders, managers, supervisors, vice presidents, CEOs and owners are expected to fulfill the Christian mandate of treating others the way we ourselves would like to be treated.
The late Hon. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, a former Canadian prime minister, campaigned for a ‘fair and just society.’ Perhaps the defining moment of his public career was his Just Society speech. But that elusive ‘society’ will only be realized when Christ Himself sets all things right. Then, there will be no need for programs that seek to enforce fairness, access, respect, dignity and equity for all. The Golden Rule and the righteous standards of His Reign will be the only acceptable management style and ethic.
In the meantime, there will be inequities, unfairness, inequalities, discrimination, and general unrighteousness from top to bottom in business, government, and society. However, everyone who identifies as a Christian should be a refreshing exception to the norm in our very broken world.
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.“ Matthew 7:12 NLT
Christians should be the ones who generally support (not mock or denounce) the less-than-perfect programs and frail attempts by others to correct inequalities and to promote fairness and equity in the workplace. God Himself is the source of all that is just and fair. Imagine the impact of the Apostle Paul’s teaching in an ancient society where the master/servant relationship was widespread. An authoritative letter from an apostle of Jesus Christ is written to Christians in the urban center of Colossae in modern-day Turkey.
Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven. Colossians 4:1 ESV
If I read that verse and others correctly, it’s not a stretch to say that management styles and practices are monitored in Heaven by the One who is just and fair, gracious and kind, and honest and generous. This is not only New Testament teaching. God honoured Daniel in an otherwise corrupt bureaucracy, and don’t forget about Joseph, Nehemiah and others. They were exemplary managers and supervisors who honoured their God regardless of the pressures exerted against them.
Although Joseph was working for Pharaoh, he was really working for God. Whether he was working in Potiphar’s house, a working inmate during his wrongful confinement, an on-call dream interpreter, or the prime minister of Egypt – Joseph’s overarching goal was to honour God in every sphere of his life at any cost.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
You will likely get promotions if you work the way a Christian should. Because of their clean lifestyle, honesty, integrity and work ethic, many Christians end up in management positions. If any manager should be —
- transparent and honest in their dealings,
- gracious in their supervision,
- diligent in their own responsibilities
- gentle in their style and
- generous in their remuneration and benefits,
it should be the Christian employer — the Christian manager.
For years, trade unions justifiably pushed for pay equity and equality in the workplace. Why? Because equity in pay was lacking, and there were many deficits in equality. Management often paid women or minorities less for work of equal value. Women and minorities only rose to a certain height in business before they hit the proverbial glass ceiling — that invisible and apparently mysterious barrier that keeps people from promotions and further progress.
Many in business management circles claim that a high percentage (90%+) of union grievances and issues can be traced back to the attitudes, behaviours, faulty decisions and questionable practices of supervisors and managers at some level. Maybe you find that shocking.
Let’s clarify something: this is not some new slant on things to keep in step with a so-called political progressive agenda. This is basically a re-post of a Bible Bite published aeons ago – back in July of 2005 which is based on the consistent teaching of Scripture.
Christian employers and managers should strive to reflect Christ in the workplace and in their treatment of employees. If we pleased our Master and honoured the Scriptures, we would. A.T. Robertson (1863-1934), a noteworthy Christian Greek scholar, said if employers always gave to employees ‘that which is just and equal’, there would be no labour problems.
There is much in the world we can not change because we have little or no influence in those realms. Where Christians are not in leadership positions, we can expect to find favouritism, biases, prejudices, and unfairness. However, we are responsible for being a Christ-like influence in whatever sphere God has placed us.
You can’t change the world, but your responsibility, before God, is to make a beautiful difference in your sphere of influence because you belong to Christ. If the Lord has given you supervisory responsibilities of any kind in any place — as a Christian, you are to be above reproach and criticism in all your dealings, interactions and decisions related to your work.
As you read your Bible, watch out for the multiple references throughout the entire Word of God that promote integrity, fairness, diligence, compassion, and other elements of the Golden Rule applicable to your circumstances today.
Would you like your Master in Heaven to treat you the way you deal with others? May the Lord help us to be more Christ-like in all our interactions with people today.
Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven. Colossians 4:1 ESV
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 NLT
Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience or a verse that has been a blessing to you – in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.
