Work as Though Working for God

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.” (1 Peter 2:18-20 NASB1995)

I live in the USA. As far as I know, the kind of slavery that existed early on in this nation was abolished many years ago. But that is not to say that slave labor no longer exists or that no one in the USA is being treated like a slave. I am certain that this still does exist in some places. But to apply this more in a general sense, I would rather use the imagery of boss and employee. When we work for another person, or for a company or corporation, we are obligated to do what we are told to do, as their employees.

But, just as in the situation with submitting to and obeying governing authorities, there are biblical exceptions to such obedience as is required of us if we work for someone else. We never have to submit to anything sinful. We do not have to lie, cheat, steal and do what is illegal just so our boss can get ahead in the business world and make the “big bucks.” We do not have to submit to foul language, to sexual advances, or to mistreatment of any kind. We can quit, and trust the Lord to provide a better job for us.

But if it is a safe environment, and we remain, then we should be people of integrity who give the best we have to the company, and to the boss. We should never be slack, but always diligent in giving the job the best we have to give. We should never cheat on our time or take shortcuts that could cost the company money. For me, when I was employed for money, if I took longer at lunch, I worked that much longer at the end of the work day. I always got in early, and if my work was done, I tried to find work to do.

I worked as a temp employee in this one job where all that was required of me was to answer the phone. But the phone didn’t ring that much. So, I asked if I could do other things. And so I worked on spreadsheets and marketing tools, and I created marketing literature. I filled in the time when the phone was not ringing in ways that were beneficial for my employer and for the productivity of his business. So, working for someone else doesn’t have to be just the minimum required. We should give the job our best.

Now, our boss doesn’t have to be the kindest most congenial person to work for. The boss may be rough and gruff. The boss may be unreasonable. I worked for some people like that. That is not necessarily a reason to quit, if we have that option to quit. For the Lord may have us there for a reason, and it may be to minister God’s love and grace to our employer. God may want us to bear up under some unfair treatment as a testimony to the boss. But, again, we are never to submit to participating in anything sinful.

[Proverbs 24:17-20; Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:8-12,43-48; Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 10:27; John 13:33-35; John 15:12; Romans 12:9-11,14-21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; 1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 John 4:7]

Love Must Be Genuine 

Based off Romans 12:9-21

An Original Work / October 22, 2013

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Love must be genuine.

Hate what’s evil; cling to good.

Love each other with affection.

Show respect for ev’ryone.

Never lack in your zeal.

Serve the Lord with diligence.

Rejoice in steadfast hope.

In affliction, patient be.

Keep on praying; share with others.

Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute.

Feel with others sympathy.

Be not filled with conceit.

Daily sit at Jesus’ feet.

Live in harmony with others.

Live at peace with ev’ryone.

Repay not to someone

With the evil he begot.

Do not take your revenge;

Leave it to the wrath of God.

If your enemy is thirsty,

Give to him something to drink.

Do what’s right for mankind.

Evil: overcome with good.

https://vimeo.com/114695549

Work as Though Working for God

An Original Work / March 21, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love