A Christian boss working with a Christian employee sounds like an ideal situation, doesn’t it? Both people love the Lord Jesus. It ought to be a little bit of heaven on earth.
Unfortunately, I’ve heard so many times from Christian employers that they would rather have non-Christians work for them!
Paul addressed this situation in 1 Timothy 6:
Those who have believing masters (bosses) are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
(v. 2)
The scripture says not to despise your Christian boss. Here’s how that happens: when a Christian works for another Christian, the employee says, “Since my boss is a Christian, he ought to treat me well.”
Typically, the Christian employee expects to be treated well and not to be overworked because, “after all, the boss is a Christian.” Should a Christian boss be fair to his employees? Certainly. However, in scripture, I see the greater emphasis placed on the employee being the type of worker he ought to be than how wonderful the boss should be.
The right attitude to have if your boss is a Christian is this: “Since my boss is a Christian, I ought to work especially hard for him.” As a Christian, your boss benefits from your diligent efforts.
The problems between Christian workers are the same problems that can develop in the home. The husband says, “She ought to be treating me like the Bible says.” The wife says, “He sure isn’t treating me the way a Christian husband ought to.”
Read the Bible for what it has to say to you and do your part in relating to other people, including your boss.
To summarize, spiritually, we relate to our bosses by praying for them. Soulishly, or mentally, we relate to our bosses by honoring them.
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Pastor Nate Belkstrom graduated from Christ for the Nations Bible College in 1976, and he spent the next six years in the workplace where he experienced a difficult time connecting his work with his Christianity. It was there that his heart was touched to help other Christians in their workplace experience.
In 1983, Nate began pastoring at Living Word Church in Redwood Falls, Minnesota.
Pastor Mark Barclay ministered to Pastor Nate Belkstrom at a pastor's meeting in Sioux City, Iowa in 1993. He received a specific word about armor bearers and printing presses which ministered great encouragement. Since that time, Pastor Nate has written 3 books that have all been published in Russian. In 1995, the Lord commissioned him to take the message of Victory in the Workplace throughout America and Eastern Europe.
Pastor Nate Belkstrom travels to Eastern Europe twice a year through To Belarus With Love Ministry. His wife, Chris, travels with him on many of the trips.
