Working as unto the Lord

Working as unto the Lord
1 Timothy 6:1-6
June 14, 2026

     In the letter to Timothy, Paul is giving him strong directions on how to keep the church on track. In chapter 5, we see him giving him practical advice on the day-to-day running of the church. Aspects like remuneration for those pastoring and leading the church, how to address leaders who stubbornly continue in sin, and guidelines for appointing leaders.

     He also addresses supporting widows. Remember, they did not have state support or social security. But even with this in mind, there were strict qualifications on how a widow would qualify for church support.

     In the last chapter, Paul then gives directions on work ethics and relationships in business.

     This is a very important and relevant chapter as it gives practical directions on how to navigate our workplace, and to keep perspective in relation to the kingdom of God and our primary calling and purpose.

     In the end, we are called to represent Christ well, as our lives bear testimony of our faith and what Jesus has done for us.

I. Let God be Glorified

The word slave used here isn’t necessarily in the narrow context we tend to define it as.

It encompasses the broad context of servants, workers, bond servants, slaves, or attendants.

In our modern context, this section speaks to us all. Very few people don’t have a boss. Even the most prominent official is still a public servant. The CEO of the fortune 500 company answers to the board, and even the lowest ranked worker in the company might be a stakeholder who the CEO to some degree answers to.

In the context Paul is addressing, there were servants, and also masters who came to faith in Christ. In the same church, you would have servants, slaves and masters worshipping on equal footing.

Now they had a practical problem, because the gospel of grace declares freedom.

Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 5:1, It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

This is a beautiful spiritual principle, but how does this play out practically. Some slaves or servants would now say that the are free in Christ. How does this affect my standing and workspace?

This section is relevant to us all. How do you treat your superior if you are worker, or your workers if you are a boss?

A. Honor your master

• All who are under the yoke as slaves/workers/ servants should regard their masters as worthy of honor.
• The question that would come up was: If I am free in Christ, why do I have to still be a slave/servant in the natural? I can just rebel and break free from my master’s oppression.
• Imagine a master not being saved, and a servant coming to him with such an attitude. They would blame Christianity for insurrection, revolt, and rebellion. This had the potential to be a societal powder keg just waiting to explode.
• Thus, Paul brings them correction and direction, bringing them back to sound doctrine.
• Yes, you are free, but you have a higher moral standard you are called to now.

1 Peter 2:16, Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.

• Paul was addressing how slaves should conduct themselves in a culture that often held Christians in suspicion. This passage aims to present a strong Christian witness in a pagan society so “that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10)
• Paul advised believers, including slaves, to exhibit Christlike character regardless of their social station.
• Paul was not condoning slavery, but he was emphasizing the doctrine of Christ. Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Let the message of grace and the resulting fruit of your life bring change in the natural.

1 Corinthians 7:20-22, Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave.

• This is the key. You are ultimately Christ’s bondslave. You belong to Him. Your life is part of a greater, more important kingdom story.

Illus – Peter in the garden. He was looking at the immediate, now, natural circumstances. Jesus had the big picture in mind.

B. Be longsuffering 

1 Peter 2:18-20, Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

• You might ask, how can God ask this of me? He can, because He endured suffering first as an example to us.

1 Peter 2:21, For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.

• In the end, the question is, how do you represent Christ at your work and in your situation?

Colossians 3:22, Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 

II. Work to a Higher Standard

• Since you are working for Christ, you are held to a higher kingdom work ethic, integrity and standard.
• We do not just run out the clock and run out the door, we work with passion and with an ownership mindset.
• We do not try and cheat on time, but work over and above.
• We do not say, ‘How can I do less and get away with it’, but ‘How can I contribute and make a difference by the wisdom of God.’

Illus – Daniel is such a beautiful picture of this…

A. Be Different than the world

• In a culture where people have a mindset of working less and less, and expecting more and more, it is a breath of fresh air when Christians step up and practically serve and work differently than the world.
• You might be in your job and think, ‘This isn’t what I signed up for. My boss is horrible, my co-workers try to make me miserable, I don’t necessarily like what I am doing at the moment. When will God make a way for me out of this?’

Illus- Joseph is a great illustration of this.

• Be faithful in what you have been entrusted with, and at the right time, God will do far above what you can think or dream.
• Even more so, if your master (boss) is a Christian, don’t treat him or her with less respect because you see yourself in value as a Christian as their equal. Remember, we are equal in worth, but God has still ordained order and leadership, and submitting to leaders appointed over you is a godly principle.
• In fact, serve them all the more, because now you are through your actions benefiting a believer and someone who should be your beloved. It is by our love for one another that we will be known as children of God.
• Also remember, that just because they are a Christian, it does not mean they are perfect. Just like you are not perfect.
• Some people are disillusioned when a someone in authority over them who is a Christian slips up. Have grace. Pray for them. Pray for your leaders. Pray that God will keep them, give them wisdom, bring them in line with His perfect will and plan.

B. Align with godly work ethic

• Verse 6 – Paul urges Timothy to teach and preach these principles, because it seems like there were those who taught a different doctrine.
• Remember that Paul warned them, at the beginning of the chapter about a different doctrine that would creep in.

1 Timothy 4:1, But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.

• Verse 4,5 – So even in this instance, we then see that the wrong doctrine, that which is not aligned with Christ, has a profound practical effect, even when addressing our workplace and attitude in it.
• We are increasingly in a culture that wants to work less, and get more, focused on the individuals rights, which sounds like a good thing, until it becomes a self-absorbed, selfish ambition.
• It breeds a mindset of ‘everybody owes me something’, which leads to discontentment, frustration, anger, and loveless bitterness. We see this all around us in the world that seems to have gone crazy, protesting to get more and more without doing anything or paying for anything. Everyone should get everything free, as long as someone else is paying.

Verse 6 – But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.

• We can be content if we see the bigger picture. Ultimately, God is our rewarder. We are already loved, we are already accepted. My position doesn’t define me, Christ does.
• If you have the revelation that your workplace, not the church, is your primary arena for living out your faith, integrity and service, it changes your perspective.
• This is where Christ ask us to align with His doctrine in the workplace.
• Be honest

Proverbs 11:1, A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.

• If you have chance to be dishonest, ask the question: is it worth it? What if I get caught? Even if you never get caught, is that thing worth your integrity and peace?

Iluss- I am always amazed when I hear someone has been caught embezzling money. Sometimes it is for negligible amounts, like only $10 000. But even if it is for $100 000, or $1 million, it is never worth it.

Ephesians 4:28, He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

• And work not only for your own gain, but to have something to share with those who are in need. Important note, not to have something to share with those who are lazy, but those who are really in need.
• Be humble and teachable

Proverbs 11:2, When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.

• Be teachable and humble in the workplace. No one likes a smarty pants. Pride is a sign of insecurity. Someone who is teachable will go far.
• You can always learn something new if you are teachable. In fact, it is a privilege to be able to gain knowledge and wisdom from someone else from which to build on.

Illus – Advancement of science…From light bulb, to vacuum tubes, to electronics, radios transistors, radar, digital computers, LED, lasers…

• Protect your good name
• You should have a good name at your work. Don’t throw your name away, it is precious and sometimes irreplaceable. It costs a lot to get it back.

Proverbs 22:1, A good name is to be more desired than great wealth.

• It is something that you start off with for free. Protect it.
• Work with excellence

Proverbs 22:29, Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

Illus – A friend of mine once went to a corporate interview. After the interview, which went well, he asked the employer how many positions they have available, to which he replied, ‘You are asking the wrong question. If I find the right people, I will create a position for them because good workers are hard to find.’

• Excellence is in high demand. An employer can see when someone pursues excellence, is eager to learn, is diligent, thorough, and hard working. Not necessarily someone that knows everything or is perfect, but has a positive, can-do attitude. 

• In the end, our goal is the words and command of Jesus.

Matthew 5:16, Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

• People should look at us, our work, our integrity, our way of being and thank God for us. Your boss should say, “Thank God for Sam/Jenny/Mark/ Ian/Nick/Sandy.” In this our Father is glorified.

C. And the masters…

• Treat your workers with respect. Authority comes from God. You will give an account to God as to how you treated those under your authority.

D. God rewards us

• God will use you and He will be your reward and the One that rewards you.

Colossians 3:23-24, Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 

• In the end, our greatest reward will one day be given by Him. Everyone can be saved, but there will be differing, eternal rewards in heaven as you are rewarded for how you lived and what you did on earth.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

• Some people quote this verse in connection with how we build our spiritual life on Christ as our foundation, which is true, but it is more than that. Our spiritual life should have a physical, practical impact.

James 2:17, Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself… I will show you my faith by my works.” 

• Right believing, brings right living. This has nothing to do with your salvation. If you have put your faith in Jesus, you will be saved, yet your works will be tested. What did you do with your life? And since most of our waking hours are spent at work, it has a very real impact on what works will be tested one day in heaven.
• Build with gold, silver, precious stones. How? Work with a higher standard. You will reap an eternal benefit.
• Work as unto Christ for His glory.