Day 1073: Faithful servants - 1 Timothy 6 vs 1 - 2

1-2 Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. 1 Timothy 6:1-2 English Standard Version

Just two verses today, but did they startle you? Paul speaks of 'slaves' honouring 'masters', especially if the slave owner was a Christian. Some 2000 years after these words were written, the idea of slaves and slave owners seems both terrible, and not worth reflecting on. Yet, for all the expressions of outrage by political parties and finger pointing at ‘Europeans’, slavery was something that existed throughout the ages in every culture. One simple example is how the Israelites were slaves in Egypt during the time of Moses. So can the apostle Paul's words to Timothy have any meaning for us today?

The first thing I'd suggest is that we keep in mind that the Bible is set in the culture and times those events took place. Some people despise the Old Testament because it tells of some cruel things which happened. But cruel deeds were very much a part of those civilizations. Even before God sent a flood on the ancient world, we read in Genesis 6:11-12 that the earth was 'filled with violence and corrupt'. So by describing the cruelty of many kings and nations, it doesn't mean God approved of those actions, or condoned them. So too with slavery. Because it existed in the world, even when Jesus lived, it doesn't mean it was God's desired choice.

Secondly, I think the picture Jesus gave about God's Kingdom spreading in the world is relevant to situations such as slavery. He said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32) The picture is surely one of slow, but steady growth. It's said that 'Rome wasn't built in a day', so something far greater and more wonderful than Rome did not just develop overnight.

Does this mean Paul was encouraging 'believing masters' to happily keep up the practise of slavery? I would say no. Things that are deep rooted in any culture don't vanish easily, so Paul was dealing with the situation as it was. For example, in Colossians 4:1 he says: “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

On another occasion Paul was himself greatly helped by the service of a runaway slave who'd ended up in the same prison Paul was in. That slave was owned by a Christian named Philemon, and when the slave was sent back to Philemon, Paul sent a letter with him, and said: “Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother.” (Philemon 1:15)

So the first step in the growth of the mustard seed with regard to slavery was a call to Christian slaves to live in such a way that the message of the gospel would not be discredited in the eyes of their owners by any dishonest or insolent behaviour on their part. They were also not to take advantage of a Christian owner. And the first step for Christians who owned slaves was to treat their slaves with the same kindness that they had been treated with by Christ. Yes, it was a small seed – but it would eventually grow. Do you think today's verses could still apply to the situation of employers and employees?

Slavery isn't only a matter of belonging to someone and not earning a salary. Even when it was abolished, many people still filled workhouses and factories, and went down mine pits, often with little regard to their safety and welfare on the part of the owners. It was usually Christians who sought to bring about better conditions for such workers. So too in today’s market place. If a Christian is an employer or an employee, the gospel ought to make a radical difference on how they go about their role. We must keep in mind that we 'have a master in heaven'. In everything we do we should want to hear His words saying: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23)