April 7

The Bible is very practical in the directions given to those who read it and obey it on how to live. Consider some of the advice given to employers on how they should treat their employees. “Masters treat your slaves right. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and He has no favorites” (Ephesians 6:9). That sounds a lot like, “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). In other words, employers should treat their employees in the same way they would like to be treated if the roles were reversed. Similarly, Paul writes to the Colossian Christians, “You slave owners must be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master - - in heaven” (4:1).
Other sound advice for employers comes from Leviticus 19:13, “Do not cheat or rob anyone. Always pay your hired workers promptly.” “Pay them their wages each day before sun-set because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they might cry out to the Lord against you, and it would be counted against you as sin” (Deuteronomy 24:15; see also James 5:4). “Those who work deserve their pay” (I Timothy 5:18; Luke 10:7; Matthew 10:10).
It is always refreshing when we see someone who actually implements their faith in God into the way they treat their employees. One such individual was named Boaz. He treated those who worked for him with dignity and respect and they responded to him in the same way (Ruth 2:4). It appears that Boaz fed his workers (2:14&15) and those who worked for him imitated his kind and considerate way of life in the way they treated others (2:6&7). And rather than giving to the poor and making the poor dependent upon him, Boaz made it possible for the poor to gather whatever grain was left over after his harvesters went through the field (2:8&9,15-18,23; Leviticus 19:9&10; 23:22). How we as employers treat those who work for us, can go a long way in how seriously they will listen to the eternal message of God’s grace they need to hear from us. What a testimony it would be for many workers to come to know Jesus Christ, through the Christlike way they are treated by their employers.