1 Timothy 6:1-5

 

B1 Paul continues the pastoral responses to various congregational issues. 

B2 Employers and employees 

C1 Servants (I’ve already answered the question about slavery and the Bible). 

C2 The application of this for most of us today is employee and employer relations. Some thoughts: 

D1 Employers: 

E1 Treat them properly and do not retaliate: Job 31:13-15 NLT If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me, 14 how could I face God? What could I say when he questioned me? 15 For God created both me and my servants. He created us both in the womb. 

E2 Be honest with their pay: James 5:4 NLT for listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven's Armies. 

E3 No verbal abuse: Ephesians 6:9 WEB You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. 

E4 The way we treat our employees, is the way God will treat us at judgment time: Colossians 4:1 NLT Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. 

E5 To supply the necessary tools to do the job and a fair wage: Psalms 123:2 NRSV As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until he has mercy upon us. 

D2 Employees: 

E1 Doing reliable, high quality work whether the employer is present or not: Ephesians 6:6 BBE Not only under your master's eye, as pleasers of men; but as servants of Christ, doing the pleasure of God from the heart. 

E2 To do our work as is expected: Titus 2:9 BBE Servants are to be under the authority of their masters, pleasing them in all things, without argument. 

E3 At least one day off a week for rest: Exodus 23:12 BBE For six days do your work, and on the seventh day keep the Sabbath; so that your ox and your ass may have rest, together with the son of your servant and the man from a strange land living among you. 

E4 To be faithful in our work and attendance: Proverbs 25:13 NRSV Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters. 

C3 We are to give respect to our employer. The reason for this is that God will be honored, and His teachings respected. 

C4 If our employer is a believer, then we must not despise them. Even though they are our brother or sister we are to obey what they expect of us in our work. 

1 Timothy 6:3-5 

B2 Insist on these things 

C1 The Apostles taught God’s way. God’s way in lifestyle, worldview, and His rules lead to peace and success: 1 Timothy 6:3 NLT Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 

C2 Someone who teaches differently is not a faithful servant of Jesus Christ: 1 Timothy 6:4 NLT Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 

D1 Described as arrogant. 

D2 Described as not having understanding. 

D3 Described as enjoying arguing over the definition of words, etc. They are nitpicking. 

D4 The arguments result in jealousy, divisions, slander, and evil suspicions. None of these are God approved actions. 

C3 Their attitude and actions result in envy, discord, abusive verbal attacks, and evil suspicions. If a church member acts like this list, then it could be they are the person described in the first part of verse 4. 

C4 Not only are they in a sick spiritual state, but they are also described as having corrupt minds, a total lack of truth, and have the wrong attitude that if he/she is rich, they are held in high regard by God. 

C5 God’s advice is to withdraw from these people. Put them out of the congregation because they only cause trouble for the others. 

C6 Question: What is the pastor or church to do when another member disagrees with these rules?