Christians are called to be leaders
Everlasting God, please help me to manage my position in a fashion that will glorify you. Help me to care for people and have your fear in my heart. Let me lead by example and let me motivate people to behave well and please you in their endeavors. Do not let me be carried away with any honor that is associated with my position, and sin against you. Let me serve you well, and let me serve people well. Let my leadership style benefit everyone under my command. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen.
There are many passages of scripture dealing with work and masters (or bosses) but let’s focus on just one for the purposes of today’s discussion. In the book of 1 Peter, Peter is encouraging persecuted believers to “prepare your minds for action” and “fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13) and then goes on to tell us how to do to be Godly witnesses and examples in spite of extreme persecution. Although most of our workplaces do not qualify as places of extreme persecution, there are Biblical principles we can learn from these words. I would encourage you to read the longer passage in context. (1 Peter 2:12-21).
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.
1 Peter 2: 18-20
I once worked for someone who, in my opinion, had no clue what they were doing. I considered him incompetent, aloof, and someone who expected others to pick up all of his slack. After all, he had inherited the company and not really earned it. I had no respect for him and freely expressed my opinion. I spoke disrespectfully behind his back and did not submit to his leadership. I would have qualified him as an “unreasonable” boss. I’m ashamed to admit that I did not respond to this situation in a Biblical way and ended up leaving the organization.
Scripture is very clear on our responsibility to submit and be respectful to those in authority over us for God in His providence has ordained our particular circumstances. This passage commands us to be submissive by putting ourselves in a subservient position of obedience (or doing what we are directed to do) and doing so with a respectful heart and attitude.