All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.
(1 Timothy 6:1-2, NASB)
According to Webster’s Dictionary, respect means to hold someone in "high or special regard." Any of us who work for someone else should show them respect, whether they deserve it or not. As believers, we can be Christ’s light to our employers, as we honor them in every situation.
Think about it: You work for an unbeliever and she sees you handle difficult situations with grace or watches you make tough decisions based on biblical values. She feels your respect for her even when she very well knows she doesn’t always deserve it.
How might that influence her?
And if your employer is also a believer? Then you ought to “serve [him] all the more.” Not only is he your boss, but he’s your brother in Christ.
On the flipside, if you’re an employer, you can model respectful behavior to those who work for you. You also should respect those in authority over you, and—I know Paul doesn’t say this, but I believe it to be true—show that high or special regard for your employees.
Just imagine how your workplace would be if mutual respect existed between employer and employee? It would be rather wonderful, wouldn’t it?
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