Anchor Devotional

See this and other editions of the Anchor Devotional online.

If someone forwarded this email to you, subscribe for yourself by signing up here.

For the Glory of Jesus’ Name

“All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters as worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.” 1 Timothy 6:1

What do you think about your employer? Do you disrespect those who are over you at work or in school? How do you speak about them? Paul’s words ask us to consider whether we reflect God’s glory to those in authority over us.

When he writes of slavery, we remember what slavery looked like in the U.S. and in other nations generations ago. But in the ancient world, servants often worked for a wage, or perhaps sold themselves into the service of another to pay debts and gain financial stability.

Because God has ordained work and called it good, pursue your calling—whatever it is—with
zeal and sincerity. In Paul’s day as well as now, our words, actions, and even thoughts ought to be marked by honor and respect toward those over us. If our employer is a believer, we must not take advantage, thinking we deserve special treatment. Don’t presume that the boss will look the other way if we’re negligent in our work, simply because we’re fellow believers in Christ. On the contrary, work and serve even better, to bring glory to the name of Jesus.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
1 Timothy 6:1-2

INSIGHT
Father, help us think, speak, and act with honor toward those over us. Guard our hearts so we live out our faith in Jesus before them. Amen

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Samuel 17-18
Psalm 144
1 Thessalonians 5

Sign up to get the Know the Bible free email lesson series from Bible Gateway.