CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES - EMPLOYERS (4)

TOPIC: CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES - EMPLOYERS (4)
TEXT: LUKE 16:19-31

Although some may think that a businessman’s only concern is making money, the Christian employer operates by a different standard. While he will try to make a profit with his business - after all, he must support his family and pay his employees—he must realize that the Bible assigns him other responsibilities that are even more important than making money. His responsibilities are:

1. To God - An employer could easily get so focused on making money that he would forget God. To avoid doing this, he must remember the biblical teaching about possessions. (1) Money and the things it can buy are perishable; it is therefore foolish to spend our lives merely accumulating material goods, since whatever we gain will ultimately be left behind (Luke 12:20). (2) Christians are commanded to serve God and not money (Matthew 6:19–24). (3) One who gains the “whole world” but loses his soul has profited nothing (Matthew 16:24–26). (4) Success in business does not guarantee happiness after this life is over (Luke 16:19–31). (5) Everything good in his life comes from God (James 1:17), and God intends for it to be used to glorify Him and help others (which requires giving liberally to the Lord (Romans 12:4–86).

2. To the Community - The law of God required the businessman to use honest weights and measures (Leviticus 19:35, 36; Amos 8:4, 5). The Christian businessman must not engage in deceptive, dishonest, or illegal business practices, but treat every customer as he himself wants to be treated (Matthew 7:12).

3. To the Poor - Under the Law, the farmer was required to observe practices that reduced his profits but helped the needy. He was not to “reap to the very corners” of his field, “gather the gleanings” of his harvest, “glean” his vineyard, or “gather the fallen fruit” of the vineyard. The surplus was to be left “for the needy and for the stranger” (Leviticus 19:9, 10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19–22). The Law’s concern for the poor contrasts with the way that the rich have often cheated and mistreated the poor, as Jezebel and Ahab took the field that belonged to Naboth (1 Kings 21:1–16; Micah 2:1, 2; 2 Samuel 12:1–7).

4. To His Employees - Leviticus 19:13 says, “You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.” The New Testament likewise indicates that masters (or employers) should treat their workers right (Colossians 4:1; see Ephesians 6:8, 9).

Word Affirmation: Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out - Deuteronomy 28:6 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“The law of God required the businessman to use honest weights and measures.”

Central Truth