Colossians 4:1

- this morning we're going to continue working in the book of Colossians
on the subject of the Christian Work ethic.

- this is our third week on this subject, and part of the reason for that
is that Paul gives this topic a lot of emphasis.
- in fact, if you judge this based on the number of words used, Paul
gives the topic of employer//employee relationships more emphasis
than that of husband/wife or parent//child.

- of course, that’s not saying that employer//employee
relationships are more important than the others, of course
not.
- but the fact is -- Paul gives this matter a lot of
attention.

- today, we're going to study "God's Word to Employers"

- I realize that many here today are in this role.
- thats true either because you actually own your own business, or
because you've been given the responsibility to manage a group of
people where you work.
- in either case--these verses apply to you.

- now I realize you might say, wait a minute--I manage a group of people
- which makes me an employer
- but I also work for someone else in that job--which makes me an
employee
- are you saying I have to apply "both sides" of this passage?

- the answer, of course, is "yes"
- at least with the husband//wife verses---you were either one or the
other -- so you sort of got a "week off" when we looked at your
spouse's role.

- but when it comes to this subject---many are at the same time both
employees and employers --- there's truth to apply on both sides of
the equation.

- now, just like the other verses in this passage, our verse for today is
very straightforward.
- read Colossians 4:1

- God's word for employers is:

I. You Are Responsible For How You Treat Your Employees

- this passage clearly spells out an employer's responsibilities to
his employees.

- before we look specifically at what the verse says--it might be
helpful to say that we need to stay out of two ditches on this
subject.

- Ditch #1 - Employees who think their employers owe them the world.

INPUT - characteristics of folks who are in this ditch?

- regardless of what I do, how long I've done it, or how well
I do it---I deserve full benefits.
(characteristics of ditch #1 continued)

- unlimited sick days -- (and never question me on the way I use
them)
- holidays for every reason under the sun
- company car
- cf. Glen Robinson's contract
- at one point in the proceedings, in desperation the owner of
the Milwaukee Bucks said, "I'll take your contract and you
can have my team" (because the team's net woth was less than
what Robinson was demanding for his contract)
(by the way, the last time I checked, the Milwaukee Bucks
were in second to last place)

- Ditch on the other side?
INPUT?

- employers who say things like:

1) I'm holding all the cards

2) take it or leave it

3) I don't answer to anybody

4) If you don't like this job, there's a line of 10 people behind
you who will gladly take it.

5) No one else in this industry does any better--so like it or
lump it.

- the point of this passage is -- as a Christian employer, you have
responsibilities to your employees...
- not because it will impact your bottom line (because it may not)
- not because the guys down the street are doing it and you need
to be able to attract workers...

- but because its right.

- according to the passage, every Christian employer is responsible to
treat his employees with fairness, and justice.

- now let's work on that together:
on the white board, let's list examples of fair/just treatment, and
unfair/unjust treatment.

Fair/Just treatment Unfair/Unjust Treatment

- an important aside to all of this--if you're listening to this from an
employee point of view--let me caution you....you might not be in a
good position to make a good judgement of what's fair/just.

- cf. Larry - mechanic at lawnmower shop -- angry about his wages
- all day long kept a running total of the repairs he did and
what the customers would be paying the business

INPUT - what was he forgetting?

- overhead
- cost of tools
- value of reputation//customer base
- what about days when business wasn't as good?
- insurance
- benefits

- point is -- this lesson is to employers---if you can't help but view
this from an employee side---remember - "just because you say its
unfair doesn't make it unfair."

III. The Reason You Should/Must Obey

INPUT - what is the reason given in verse 1?

(because you have a master in heaven)

INPUT - Why do you think Paul would find it necessary to remind
employers of that fact? (easy to get a "Mister Big
Britches" mentality.)

- under this point, we're talking about the omnipresence of God.

- let's look at some other passages that teach that important
lesson.

- Psalm 139 (read 1-12)

- let me ask those of you who are employers to think about how
you're doing in that role in light of this point.
- How conscious are you, as you work with your employees
that God in heaven is your master---and that He is
watching?

- thinking back to the different areas we listed on the
white board earlier--is your belief in the
omnipresence of God apparent by the way you handle
those areas?

- let's develop this argument a little further---please turn to
Genesis 39.
- here's the story of Joseph -- who by the time we reach
this passage has risen to being the number 1 man in
Potiphar's house.
- please scan verses 1-12 - find as many examples as you
can of God being "with Joseph," or Joseph realizing
that God was with him.

- another passage that goes along this line is Hebrews 13:5 - "...for He
hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

- Some theologians have described this doctrine with the phrase "God is
our environment." (develop from More than Redemption)

- for our purposes here, this doctrine can be a great blessing, but it
can also be a great challenge.
- does the way you treat your employees demonstrate that you are
conscious of God's omnipresence?

(you need to remember two things--there is a God, and you're not
Him)

- in addition to the principle in this passage, we can also get:

III. Help from The Context

A. Preceeding verses

- many Bible students have discussed whether chapter 3:24-25 goes
with the verses about employees (22-23) or employers (4:1).

- INPUT - any opinions?

- please look over at Ephesians 6 for a strong argument to
view verses 24-25 as applying to both groups.

- INPUT - what do you see in Ephesians 6:9 that might cause
you to conclude that Col. 3:24-25 is a transition
passage that could apply to both groups?

("the respect of persons" statement is attached to
employers in Ephesians -- it's in the "transition"
verses in Col)

- the point is -- what Paul said to employees about rewards and
punishments in Col. 3 is equally true of employers.

- God will reward those who obey his word in this matter,
and punish those who don't.

- another way to look at this subject would be to ask -- How would you
like it if God treated you the way you treat your employees?

- that kind of an argument is clearly made in other places in the
Scripture.
- Do any examples come to mind -- where the Scripture says -- God will
treat you (in a particular area) the same way as you treat someone
else?

- Mark 11:25 - And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have
anything against any, that my Father, who is in heaven, may
forgive you your trespasses.

- James 3:13 - For He shall have judgement without mercy, that hat
shown no mercy.

- thats the same kind of argument being made in Col. 3
- remember, those of you who have masters----that you have a master,
too.

- cf. Barry Poll trying to get me to pay the guys less so I would have
more (didn't believe that was right--in the end, God blessed)
B. Parallel passage

- we mentioned Eph. 6:9 a moment ago.

- INPUT - what does this passage add to our discussion?
(employers should not threaten their employees)

- INPUT - how might an employer violate this principle?

- now, remember we said a couple of weeks ago that the man who was
carrying the letter to the Colossians was also carrying another
book (letter) -- what was it?
- Philemon

- who was Philemon? (wealthy man in Colossian church)
- who is the book of Philemon about? (Onesimus - his runaway slave)

- How did Paul know Philemon? (led him to the Lord)
- How did he know Onesimus (led him to the Lord)

- read Philemon 8-18

- let me ask you a question from these verses
- as a master, was Philemon obligated to forgive Onesimus?
(no)

- but what is Paul appealing to? (the fact that he is a believer)

- what's the principle (believers are held to a higher standard)
- that’s a very important principle to remember in this matter
of employer/employee relationships

- its not a matter of "what the market will bear"
- it's not a matter of "what the guy down the street is
doing"

- believers are held to a higher standard