Christians should treat all according to the “Golden Rule,” that is, they should treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves. In the case of an employer, this would imply respect for the skills of the employee and fair payment for work done. This principle is expressed in Romans 13:8, “Owe no man anything but to love one another.” As in every situation, the employer should not ask for more work than the agreed-upon and paid-for amount. If further work is needed, the employer should be willing to pay for it, not “stealing” the employee’s personal time by assuming the employee is of lower status than himself.

Likewise, the employee should not take advantage of his employer. Full effort should be put in for the agreed-upon time and payment. He has “sold” his time and skill to his employer in the hiring agreement, and therefore, he should not waste the time belonging to his employer by not doing his best nor by taking rests not in the employment agreement. This even would include witnessing the Gospel to others when our time is owed to the business of our jobs. It glorifies the Lord most by living a Christlike life in as many ways as we can.

Here are several additional scriptural principles to consider:

Colossians 4:1 (NKJV): “Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

Ephesians 6:5-9 (NKJV): “5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”

1 Kings 10:8 (NKJV): “Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!”

In everything we do, we should endeavor to show the Lord’s character and be as bountiful as we can as humans in our relationships with others.

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1031: What Happens to My Christianity When I Go to Work?
Avoiding the pitfalls of workplace talk, thinking and behavior
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CQ Rewind Show Notes