(Lesson 2, Part 4. Notes follow the video link for the hearing impaired.)

Titus 2:9-10 NLT

[9] Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back [10] or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

            During New Testament days being a servant-slave was common, depending on where one lived.  Servant-slaves were often considered the lowest of the low economic levels simply because they “belonged” to someone else.  They were assigned the menial tasks that society considered below the dignity of regular citizens.  In most cases, they were at the complete mercy of their masters and lived a meager existence.

            However, even servant-slaves were exposed to the good news about Jesus.  They became followers of Christ.  They suddenly were on equal spiritual standing with God as anyone else who had faith in Jesus.  When it came to being a disciple of Jesus, there were no divisions between being a Jew or a Greek, male or female, free or slave.  All were united as one in Christ.

            This new spiritual equality had not changed their physical state of being a slave to someone else.  Even though slaves were now on equal spiritual footing with their masters, they were still servants.  Paul continues his instructions to Titus on how Christians should live by including the behavior that Christian servant-slaves should display before their masters.

            To begin, slaves were to obey their masters and strive to do what their masters required of them.  They were not to rebel against their masters in word or deed, such as stealing from their households.  They were to do just the opposite of that by being good and showing they could be trusted.  Through their behavior in relation to their masters, they would be a positive witness for the Christian faith. 

            Our culture today does not support the existence of servant-slaves.  However, we do have workers who are employed by businesses or organizations.  Those workers can learn from Paul’s letter to Titus, because they should relate to their Christians bosses in a similar fashion.  Their behavior toward their employers will have an effect on how their employers view the Christian faith. 

            By following company policies, being trustworthy and honoring the ownership of the goods and property placed in their use, Christian employees today can reflect the teachings of Christ in their workplace.  Employers and colleagues who come into contact with us daily will know whether or not we live according to Christ’s teachings.  They see us on the good days, but they see us on the bad days, too.  When we consistently treat others like we want to be treated and consistently speak of the goodness of God, then we are living like Christian servant-slaves were to live in the says of Titus and Paul.