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

In our world, we are usually not dealing with slavery. Slavery had many different forms in the early church times, like it does around the world today. Sometimes it was oppressive, abusive, and a very tough life. Other times people were slaves to pay off debts owed. This was the case with the patriarch Jacob here: “Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬).

He worked under Laben (Laben was his master) in exchange for the right to marry his daughter. So the slave/master directives here do apply in those situations but also in what we would describe as employer-employee relations today.

There is a saying today: “All is fair in love and war (or some could substitute politics or business in there somewhere). I think many people operate this way in the business world. They think that if they do some good or charitable things with some of the money they gain, then the Bible’s conduct rules do not apply to them in how they treat their employees.

James had something quite different to say about this: “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.” (‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭6‬)

This is such a harsh rebuke against those rich who gain their wealth with ruthlessness and hoard it in selfishness. God’s judgment will surely fall on them. And the opposite is also true. If you are fair and do what is right in God’s eyes, both when everyone is watching and when no one is watching, then God’s blessing will be upon you.

Lord, help me to seek to treat those under my care with fairness and in a manner that you see as right and just. Help me to be merciful and gracious, as well. You are my Master and Lord and you watch over me and all I do. May my reputation be one of kindness and being a person who stands for what is right and just.