Servants, obey in all things your masters
according to this flesh; not with
eye service, as men pleasers; but
in singleness of heart, fearing God;
and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,
as tot he Lord, and not unto men;
knowing that or the Lord ye shall
receive the reward of the inheritance:
for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he
that doeth wrong shall receive for the
wrong which he hath done: and there
is no respect of persons. Masters,
give unto your servants that which is
just and equal; knowing that ye also
have a Master in heaven.
Colossians 3:22-25; 4:1
How often Christians are accused of promoting slavery and are condemned as a religion of hate. Many times people refer to those passages in the Bible that speak of slavery as their proof. The problem with their condemnation is that they do not understand slavery in the times of the Apostles. Yes, slavery has been and is in some countries abhorrent as to the treatment of men, women and children as nothing more than chattel. Men will do all they can to make money, to have power, and those who conform to be slave owners as was seen in the period before 1865 when the President Abraham Lincoln and the civil war between the states here in the United States whereby slavery was ended often treated slaves horribly.
Let us look back to the times of Paul when he wrote about slavery. Often slaves were children sold by their parents as they were in need of money. This is being done today where children are sold into slavery of prostitution as reported in the lands of Nepal and India, and elsewhere. Slavery has existed almost from the time of the fall of Babel as can be read in the history of the Hebrews in Egypt when the Pharaoh made them slaves and forced labor. Rebellion of the slaved occurred often and one most famous rebellion was when Sparticus a slave rebelled and other slaves joined with him.
Spartacus was a Thracian gladiator who commanded a massive
slave army during the Third Servile War, the largest and most successful slave
rebellion in Roman history. The uprising began in 73 B.C. when Spartacus and a
small band of slaves escaped from a gladiator school by using kitchen utensils
as weapons. Slaves from across the Roman countryside soon flocked to join the
revolt, and the rebel army caused a panic in the Roman senate after it defeated
a militia at Mt. Vesuvius and two legions near Mt. Garganus.
According to the ancient historian Appian, as more slaves
joined the uprising their ranks swelled to include as many as 120,000 former
bondsmen. But despite their early victories, the slaves later fell prey to
disunion and split into several unorganized factions. The main rebellion was
then defeated in 71 B.C. after eight Roman legions commanded by Marcus Lucinius
Crassus cornered Spartacus and demolished what remained of his army. Spartacus died
in the battle, and 6,000 surviving slaves were later crucified along a Roman
highway as a brutal warning against future revolts.
Slaveholding societies always lived in fear of the people
they kept in bondage. Slave populations were typically much larger than those
of their masters, and the anger provoked by a life in chains often spilled over
into violent revolts and uprisings. But while these rebellions were usually
defeated in brutal fashion, in some instances the slaves managed to escape
persecution and even went on to set up their own communities and countries.
Find out more about seven groups of slaves who risked everything for a chance
at freedom.
There is some evidence that slaves were better treated in
the Imperial period as fewer wars resulted in slaves being in less ready supply
and, therefore, they increased in value and it was recognised that harsh
treatment was counter-productive so that there were even laws which provided
against excessively cruel owners. However, in practical terms, one can imagine,
that owners were at liberty to treat their property as they thought best and
the only real constraint was the desire to maintain the value of the asset and
not provoke a drastic and collective reaction from those enslaved. Indeed, treatises
were written advising the best methods of management regarding slaves - what
food and clothing was best, which were the most efficient methods of motivation
(e.g. giving time off or better food rations), and how to create divisions
amongst slaves so that they did not form dangerous protest groups.
Slavery was part and parcel of the society in the days of Paul and he had to remind them that this life, as good, or bad, as harsh leading to mistreatment they were not to rebel. Actually slaves at this time were treated fairly for the Romans had learned that to avoid more slave rebellion they needed laws and treatment that was good and safe. Slaves were workers for both government and private owners and provided a work force that the Romans needed to build their roads and cities.
Masters and slaves alike were given this admonition of how to treat slaves and why. Both have a Master in heaven and it is to this Master that they must give an account. Do not as a slave, or in today's world a worker, just do things so as to get approval from those in charge. Work at what you said you would do, and do not unnecessarily complain. If you have a complaint in this day of laws you have a remedy to use by law. Use it!
Authentic Christians do not admit that slavery is good, or necessary, especially in this present age. If a person works for you then you treat them properly. Whatever is done is to be done for the glory of God.
Paul has written to every possible position of man and has given the same admonition. Live for Jesus Christ first and foremost. Live as a child of God and bring glory to Him. Your reward is in heaven and as a child of God this reward is not earned, not something you work for, rather it is already yours, so live knowing this fact: this world is not you home, you are just passing through, your treasure lays up somewhere in the blue. Love God, put Him as your highest priority and when you reach your heavenly home you will hear: "Well done, faithful and discreet slave."
The slothful man roasteth not
that which he took in hunting:
but the substance of a diligent man
is precious.
Proverbs 12:27
Live for God: not for yourself
Richard L. Crumb
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