Let as many servants as are under
the yoke count their own masters
worthy of all honour, that the
name of God and His doctrine
be no blasphemed. And they that
have believing masters, let them
not despise them, because they
are brethren; but rather do them
service, because they are faithful
and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
These things teach and exhort.
1Timothy 6:1-2
Duty, a word that is tossed around with several meanings and understandings: i.e., the military a duty demanded by superiors that a person in the military do this or that and only say something against an order if it is Constitutionally wrong or immoral; and a duty for all citizens to have and do in all things: i.e., driving the speed limit, obeying laws that are for the good of all and are not Constitutionally wrong, or immoral. A student has a duty to oneself to learn, to study, and to apply self to become a productive person for society, to learn to be a good citizen. Christians have a duty, in fact they have several duties, but in these verses I will keep it to the duty of being a Christian even if under the yoke of slavery as was the case for many people in the days of the early Church. Slavery often only refers to the type of slavery that was harsh, or as seen in the Southern parts of the United States were slavery flourished and often with harsh slave owners. Slavery was more than that, it was often a way for a person who under a debt he could not pay offered himself as a slave to the one who held the debt. There was a way for a person to be relieved of slavery and often many took that way. Slavery as we have come to know it is wrong and the Bible speaks much about wronging a person whether free or slave.
Christians under the yoke of slavery must attend to their duties and not to use Christianity or any religious knowledge or Christian privilege to have a right to despise their heathen masters, or to disobey laws, and lawful commands, or to expose their faults to others, they are to live a quiet life: "Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread" (2Thessalonians 3:12); "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (1Thessalonians 4:11); "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1Timothy 2:2); "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God of great price" (1Peter 3:4). All Christians, not just slaves are to act this way, to live so as not to blaspheme the name of God, or Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Christians are live in truth and worship to the glory of God. Those believing masters must not put profit ahead of being a Christian, and are not to withhold respect and reverence to others who are also their brothers and sisters in Christ. There may be, and are, different levels of position in this life, but all Christians are on the same level as one another are simply sinners saved by grace and all have the one same hope, and that is: eternal life, salvation.
Slaves no matter how they became slaves have the same goal to have food, clothing, shelter, and some privileges. You who are not considered as a slave: are! At least in the same manner you want, money, food, clothing, shelter, and some privileges. You work, even though you may be doing work you extremely enjoy, or even work that you do not enjoy, all is work for the same goals. Slaves under a harsh master may be beat, even killed, or reprimanded in some manner for not doing as requested or commanded. You who are working have not to fear, at least in the United States to be killed for not doing what you are to do, but you will be fired, reprimanded, have loss of money, position because you did not do as requested or commanded. So, in some major sense, we are all slaves, to someone, or something. As Christians we belong to God, to Jesus Christ for He is our absolute and final master and all we do is to be done for His glory and not just for our self aggrandizement. Yes, we work for our employer, but in actuality what we do if first and foremost for Jesus Christ and our employer gets the benefit.
I am saying that we are to sit quietly by the sidelines and allow wrong things to just happen quietly? No! I am saying to work as to the Lord, and if there is wrongfulness affecting you and others you take proper steps to attempt to remedy the situation. Whatever you attempt to do must be done by prayer, and all according to Scripture, with good Scriptural counsel. Christians are not required to consent to any words as wholesome, whether it be in employment or by those who are teaching falsely or heretic teachings. But we are to do all things according to godliness and to keep to the doctrines given to Christians by the Holy Spirit. Should you be patted on the back for living this way? Not really, you are doing just what you are supposed to do, your duty. Do not think by being a good citizen, a good employee, a good slave that somehow this makes you godly. It does not! You are saved not by what you do or say, you are saved because God saves you in whatever condition He finds you: it is God who makes you godly.
Do you want contentment? It is there for you! Live a quiet and productive life, and live according to Scripture and your contentment, no matter the situation is present with you, you know that you final home is with God, eternally, nothing can take that away from you, so then, we live now as though we are living in heaven. If we fail, our God will chastise and will forgive, but do not continue to fail for this will displease God so much that He may not continue to aid you, and you will have to wait for heaven to find the contentment you can have now.
Now therfore hearken unto me,
O ye children: for blessed are
they that keep my ways. Hear
instruction, and be wise, and
refuse it not. Blessed is the man
that heareth me, watching daily
at my doors. For whoso findeth me
findeth life, and shall obtain favour
of the LORD.
Proverbs 8:32-35
Seek and you shall find: Contentment
Richard L. Crumb
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