What should it mean to be a Christian employer?

Answer

The Bible does not provide direct instructions to employers, but its principles for human relationships can be applied to the workplace. Faith in Christ serves as the great equalizer. If employees are also Christians, Galatians 3:28 should be the cornerstone of the work environment: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Even if some employees do not share faith in Christ, an employer can begin with the premise that everyone is equal in value and should be treated with dignity and respect, as stated in Matthew 7:12, (Matthew 7:12).

Whether employer or employee, children of God should live each day in the fear of the Lord. When our relationship with God takes top priority in our lives, all other relationships will benefit. One significant relational change that faith in Christ should bring about is the servant attitude Jesus exemplified, as mentioned in Mark 10:42-45, (Mark 10:42-45). The ground at the foot of the cross is level. We all come the same way: broken, humble, and repentant. We leave justified and forgiven, but with a new heart to love and serve others. Colossians 3:11 states, “In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us” (NLT). Even if employees do not know Christ, a Christian employer can demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22, (Galatians 5:22), with humility and patience.

Christian employers can exemplify the Bible’s guidance on master/slave relationships. Many individuals incorrectly assert that the Bible supports slavery. However, this interpretation removes the guidance from its context. In a society where a slave was viewed merely as property, God’s law introduced dignity and compassion into that relationship. In Jewish law, God explicitly prohibited His people from exploiting workers (Deuteronomy 24:13-15). In the New Testament, Colossians 4:1 states, “Masters, provide your slaves with what is just and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”

“Just and fair” entails honoring the agreed-upon wages promptly, ensuring a safe and pleasant workplace, and treating each employee as a valuable individual. Most employees, regardless of their faith, value a workplace devoid of envy, favoritism, inappropriate language, and deceit. An employer can establish this standard in the workplace and refuse to condone behavior that contradicts it.

The prime illustration of a Christian employer/employee relationship is depicted in Paul’s letter to Philemon. Paul had guided a runaway slave, Onesimus, to embrace Christianity and then dispatched him back to his master Philemon with a heartfelt plea in a letter to his fellow Christian. When Paul interceded on behalf of Onesimus to Philemon, he implored Philemon to regard him “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother” «not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? », (Philemon 1:16). Even if their master/slave relationship persisted, it could do so with love and reverence.

Depending on their level of authority within the company, an employer can take further initiative by organizing Bible studies or prayer sessions wi

To engage with employees before or after work, an employer can maintain a focus on Jesus while respecting their diverse religious beliefs. This can be achieved through various means such as displaying wall decorations with scriptural messages, providing a public prayer board for sharing needs, and fostering an environment of openness and respect for differing perspectives. Despite Jesus’ profound knowledge, He often prompted discussions by asking questions to understand others’ viewpoints (Luke 10:25-26; Mark 8:27). He valued independent thinking and presented truth without imposing it on others.

Prior to showcasing Christian symbols in the workplace, it is crucial for an employer to ensure that their lifestyle aligns with their beliefs to avoid any contradictions. Introducing Christian values at work may fail if employees or customers perceive hypocrisy in the boss’s personal life or ethical conduct. When Christian employers view themselves primarily as servants of Christ, as exemplified by Paul in Romans 1:1, they will recognize their role as a divine calling from God. Their decisions will be guided by a desire to please Jesus, the ultimate authority.