ODJ: mistreated at work

Eat, Our Daily Journey | August 6, 2009 12:46 am

aug-6

August 6, 2009 


God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment (v.19).  

READ: 1 Peter 2:18-25 

Lai Meng, a senior accountant in a trading company
 for 25 years, was recently transferred to another
 department and forced to take a pay cut. His boss had employed a replacement at half his pay. If he resigned, Lai Meng would lose his accrued medical and financial benefits, a move his unscrupulous boss had intended. What would you say to encourage Lai Meng? 


First Peter 2:18-25 helps us cope with situations where Christ-followers are unfairly treated by employers. When the apostle wrote those words, it is estimated that there were some 60 million slaves in the world. Peter, however, wrote to all workers—using the word oiketai, or house workers (v.18). That definition included paid employees. Fortunately, we don’t have as many slaves today, but many workers are still economically exploited. 


Whether a boss is “kind” or “cruel,” Peter tells us to “accept the authority of your masters with all respect” (v.18). “When you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment,” he wrote, “God is pleased with you” (1 Peter 2:19-20) and “will reward you for it” (3:14). God sees your situation. That’s why the apostle Paul warns unethical employers that they too have a Master who will hold them accountable (Colossians 4:1).


In responding to unjust suffering at work, we’re to follow Jesus’ footsteps (1 Peter 2:21). When responding to maltreatment, He . . . 


• did not sin (v.22).


• did not retaliate or threaten revenge (v.23). 


• left His case in the hands of His Father, who always judges fairly (v.23).


• took our sins on Himself, so that we can live for what is right (v.24). 


We can endure mistreatment, knowing that Jesus is there—caring for us as our Shepherd and protecting us as our Guardian (v.25). —K.T. Sim

NEXT
If you were in Lai Meng’s shoes, what would you do? Why? Why is it so difficult to do what Peter says in this passage? 
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