Servants, working conditions of

Those who serve are to be treated fairly and with respect. Jesus Christ himself chose to be a servant and lays responsibility of service on those who follow.

Servants are to be treated fairly

They are not to be exploited

Ephesians 6:9 See also Leviticus 25:39–40, Leviticus 25:53

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.

They are to be paid fairly and promptly

Deuteronomy 24:14–15 See also Genesis 29:15; Leviticus 19:13; Numbers 18:29–31; 1 Kings 5:6; Job 7:1–2; Jeremiah 22:13; Matthew 20:4, Matthew 20:8; Romans 4:4; Colossians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:10

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. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Examples of servants treated unfairly

James 5:4 See also Genesis 31:7, Genesis 31:41; Exodus 2:23–24; Job 24:10–11; Malachi 3:5

Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Jesus Christ as a servant

Matthew 20:28 See also Philippians 2:7

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Believers follow Jesus Christ's example as servants

They are servants of Jesus Christ and his church

Romans 1:1 See also Luke 1:38; 1 Corinthians 12:5, 1 Corinthians 16:15; Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:23, Colossians 3:24

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—

They work to please God

Ephesians 6:5–6 See also Colossians 3:22–24; Titus 2:9–10

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

Christian workers should be paid honourably

1 Timothy 5:17–18 See also Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:7–11; Galatians 6:6

Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

God rewards his servants

Ephesians 6:8 See also Job 34:10–11; Proverbs 10:16; Matthew 6:3–4, Matthew 25:23; John 4:36; 2 Timothy 4:8

because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

Service of sin has its reward

Romans 6:23 See also Proverbs 11:18; Hosea 9:1; 2 Peter 2:15

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.