Respect
1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters 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.
Love of Money
3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Bee's Thoughts:
On the one hand the Bible talks about "respect" towards our superiors at work, yet on the other hand it also warns us of some, professed 'Chirstians' or 'Pastors', who use "false doctrine" that isn't "goldly teaching" in the business market places. These people use Christianity as a cover up for personal gain as they "think that godliness is a means to financial gain". They preach 'prosperity gospel' to the extend they become more unscrupulous than non-believing businessmen. *sigh*
I have personal encounter of such a 'Pastoring' businessman. It's really sad. He has to close some of his many businesses as God will not bless his businesses done using unscrupulous means.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain" (v6), the Bible says. Respecting those who are above us in authority at our workplaces is one way of godliness. Contentment is the key to success in life. If one becomes too greedy over finacial wealth and forget about being godly and be contented with what one has, one will become stressful and might lose his personal health and even those people close to him/her one day.
Dear Lord, help me to live a godly life and be contented with the small things or few people You have given me. May your joy fill my heart always even though I might not be rich or have the luxuries of life. Thank You for everything, Lord. Amen.
Tommy's Thoughts:
First of all, thank you Lord for helping me to complete my job with excellent result and exceeded the client’s expectation. It’s all because of You and Bee’s encouraging prayers that has make this possible. Thank You, Lord! (and of course to you Bee, my ultra-best friend!!)
I have been really busy lately; in fact, the last few days, I’ve been really restless after looking at the list of things to be done by end of the year. Also, been skipping hours of sleep and working till the wee hours of the night.
Thank You Lord for today passage; as I can see my work is clearly affected by all these. Like today, I’d problem in concentrating on my projects; jumping from one project to another without really getting things properly done. I know now if I would to continue in this way, I will definitely unable to perform well in my work.
Lord, thank you for teaching me to show respect for my employer by working smart and diligently at my workplace. Help me Lord to prioritize my time effectively in the coming days and always have enough rest. Guide me Lord to plan my things well and doing only what matters most, and last but not least, to devote my time to You everyday. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!
.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy
