Masters

Those who obtain work from others, whether in the capacity of unpaid service or paid employment. Scripture sets out both the obligations and rights of masters in relation to those who work for them.

Masters have obligations to their servants

To deal fairly with them

Job 31:13–14 See also 2 Kings 22:7; Job 31:38–40; Matthew 10:10–11 parallel Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18

If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me, what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account?

To be generous

Deuteronomy 15:12–15, Deuteronomy 15:18 See also Philemon 1:12–16

If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; that is why I am giving you this command today.

Do not regard it as a hardship to set your servant free, because his six years of service were worth twice the wages of a hired hand. And the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.

To make provision for rest and worship

Deuteronomy 5:12–15 parallel Exodus 20:8–11 See also Exodus 12:43–44; Deuteronomy 16:11–16

Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work— neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Not to defraud them

Leviticus 19:13 Day labourers were paid in the evening (see Matthew 20:8). Delaying payment could cause great hardship to a poor man. See also Deuteronomy 24:15; Malachi 3:5; James 5:4

You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.

Not to exploit them

Deuteronomy 24:14 See also Genesis 31:7, Genesis 31:41; Isaiah 58:3; Jeremiah 22:13; Acts 16:16, Acts 16:19

Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.

Not to neglect them

Deuteronomy 12:19 See also Deuteronomy 14:27

and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.

Not to oppress them

Ephesians 6:9 See also Genesis 16:6; Exodus 1:11–14, Exodus 21:20–21, Exodus 21:26–27; Leviticus 25:39–55; 1 Kings 12:4, 1 Kings 12:10–14; Isaiah 30:12–13

And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

God is the heavenly Master over earthly masters

Colossians 4:1 See also Ephesians 6:9; Matthew 25:14–30 parallel Luke 19:12–26

Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Blessings promised to good masters

Proverbs 19:17 See also Deuteronomy 15:10; Proverbs 28:27

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Examples of good and bad masters

Good masters

Genesis 18:19 Abraham; Job 31:13–15 Job; Luke 7:2 a Roman centurion

Bad masters

Genesis 16:6 Sarah; Genesis 31:7 Laban; Genesis 39:7–20 Potiphar's wife