Col 3:22-4:1 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.
For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
(also: Eph 6:5-9)
How are these verses relevant for today? It was often said, that these verses apply to employer - employee relationship, but that's simply incorrect and if one reasons this way, he'll miss out on prosperity that God has prepared for him.
The Scripture here describes a relationship between a slave and a master, which is completely different from a relationship between two free people. Slave entirely belongs to his master, there can not be an equal relationship between them. The opposite is true about the employer - employee relationship.
God's Word talks about three kinds of master - servant (slave) relationships:
1. God - man relationship
Jesus Christ bought us with His blood and we belong to him. He ransomed us from sin and death, because we couldn't do it ourselves. But we're not only servants, He has also given us the right of God's sons.
2. Sin - man relationship
If someone doesn't belong to God, he belongs to sin. He's its slave. God is clear that there is no "middle zone" in between. We are enslaved to sin not only through our own sinning, but also because we were born slaves of sin. In the old days - the slave's offspring belonged automatically to the master! And because we're Adam's offspring, who already belonged to sin, we too were born enslaved to sin. We could not get out of this on our own, so we either needed to be set free (The Devil wouldn't allow it though) and be bought free. And this is what Jesus Christ has done.
3. Man - man relationship
The previously mentioned employer - employee relationship is not the same as a master - slave relationship. There are God given rules for this association, but they're not the same.
Thanks be to God that we live in a free society without slaves and masters anymore. It doesn't mean that we all should have the same social position, influence, or wealth, but as humans we're equal.
We can't achieve prosperity living as slaves. The slave is dependent on his master for provision and that in itself is something else than prosperity. The employee doesn't receive provision, but wages for his work. On the other hand the employer is not obliged to take care of his employee, he is to stand by a contract and pay him for his work.
There are many people though, who expect their employers to take care of them and many employers, who expect their workers to do things that go way beyond their job responsibilities.
The employee doesn't belong to the firm. He provides the company with his work and abilities, but he mainly does it for himself (to be paid) not the firm. The company pays him, because it's profitable for them "buy" his work. If this relationship ceases to be advantageous (for both sides), they'll part their ways (contract permitting) and offer or search for abilities elsewhere.
We have to realize that this mature and opened conduct is the best for individual as well as the society. This doesn't bring merely financial prosperity, but a wholesome prosperity of a free man.
