Introduction
Yesterday, we covered slaves and what our posture should be when we are low in status. Today, we are going to spend some time looking at how we should behave when we are on top. Again, we will primarily use the modern parallel of boss and employee, but these instructions could apply to any situation where you have a higher status. How do we treat people when we have power over them?

Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 6:5-9, New Living Translation

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites."

Explanation and Reflection
If slaves yesterday had a tough job, Paul raises the bar for masters by challenging them to a higher standard.

1. A Servant Leader Environment
   We had you reread verses 5-8 because of the phrase in verse 9, “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way.” So, everything we learned yesterday about slaves also applies to masters. Just as someone low in status is expected to obey, serve, honor, work hard, and remember their heavenly reward, the same is expected of masters. Remember, leaders: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). All bosses are slaves themselves and are called to servant leadership.
2. A Safe Environment
   The church at Ephesus is told not to threaten slaves. The idea here is that leaders should not lead through fear but through guidance, instruction, inspiration, and kindness. Masters should seek to build safe environments that draw out the best in their employees. Godly bosses are not just about the power or the paycheck but about building an environment where people flourish.
3. A Mindful Environment
   Paul tells masters to remember that they share a master with slaves, their Heavenly Father. This is important for a few reasons. First, slaves and masters having the same Heavenly Master means they should be united through following the same God. They both have the same Lord and Father. This should bind them together as children from the same family and influence their interactions. Second, slaves and masters must recognize they have the same role model. In Christ, they both discover the character of God. This is the same character they should both be committed to imitating (see Ephesians 5:1). Finally, slaves and masters will face the same judgment in the end. With Christian slaves and masters finding the same grace through the work of Christ, they should extend the same grace to one another. Bosses mess up. Employees mess up. There should be a flow between the two parties of forgiveness. Just as Paul said in Ephesians 4:32, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
4. A Fair Environment
   Fairness is a loaded word. One person’s “fair” is another person’s “not fair enough.” So fairness can be a moving and subjective target. Yet Paul tells us that God “has no favorites.” At work, a good boss is fair and equitable. They are not easily charmed by a smooth employee. They are discerning in dealing with a suck-up. They see through the lazy employee who is good at looking busy. In building a fair environment, a good boss also has the wisdom to weigh the interests of the company they represent against the health of the employees they lead. They manage to bless the company and bless the employee all at the same time.

Being a boss is hard. There is rarely a day that goes by without some problem creeping up. When you lead people, you not only inherit their professional problems, but if you are a good boss, you also recognize that they bring their personal problems to work. In the face of this, good bosses don’t lose hope or go numb. They look to the model of Jesus and show up physically, mentally, and spiritually to help employees navigate the rough world of work.

Question of the Day
Here’s a question for you to think about and apply:
We all have some environment where we are the “boss.” We all have situations where we have some authority over others. What are your shortcomings in leading others? What practical steps can you take to be a better leader?