Conflict in the Work Place
Please explain how to tell a boss that claims to be a Christian but is not treating you fairly for years that you have a lot more to give his company. I already run a lot of the jobs and take extra pride in the work. My fellow workers also like me. He just keeps giving me bad jobs now and my fellow workers have even approached me about it. They are good people and care about me. My Boss says he's a Christian but his actions don't show it.
Let me start by saying that I have been where you are. In every job there is a certain amount of politics, where if you are liked you will be successful, but if you are not liked they may try to get you to quit. The problem is that we are dealing with two different parties and each has a responsibility to God. You have certain responsibilities toward God and so does this boss, especially if he is saved. Let's take a look at each party's responsibility and see what we can determine.
The Boss
- Give that which is just and equal to the servants (Colossians 4:1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
See All...) - Forbear threatening (Ephesians 6:9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
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The Employee
- Obey the masters according to the flesh (Ephesians 6:5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
See All...) - Obey as unto Christ (Ephesians 6:5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
See All...) - Obedience to masters according to the flesh is a proof of a healthy fear of God (Colossians 3:22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
See All...) - Honour the master (boss) (1 Timothy 6:1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
See All...) - Do not despise the master (boss) (1 Timothy 6:2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
See All...) - Please the master well in all things (Titus 2:9-10 [9] Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
[10] Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
See All...) - Be subject not only to the good and gentle but also to the forward (1 Peter 2:18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
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Looking at this list can be convicting to the servant I know, but there is also another aspect which we should look at, and it has to do with judgment. If you do right as a servant and the master (boss) continues to do you wrong according to the word of God, then God will sort it out at the judgment, the Judgment Seat of Christ if he is saved or the Great White Throne Judgment if he is lost.
The Boss
- Receive the greater condemnation (James 3:1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
See All...) - To whom much is given (Luke 12:48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
See All...) - Receive for the wrong (Colossians 3:25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
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Not only that but you will be rewarded for serving and according to the scriptures you are even called by God to suffer in such situations.
The Servant (Employee)
- Good will be rewarded (Ephesians 6:8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
See All...) - We shall receive the reward of the inheritance (Colossians 3:24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
See All...) - It is a calling from God to suffer in such situations (1 Peter 2:18-21 [18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
[19] For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
[20] For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
[21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
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Now I can only imagine that you may feel like I am against you, but I am not at all against you. I often go through the same things that you are going through, but that doesn’t change the fact that we are responsible to God not for our bosses in the flesh but for us. I find that I have a hard enough time fulfilling my obligations as a servant (employee). As far as your relationship with the boss, perhaps you should ask him if there are things he would like to see you improve upon. If he tells you some things then apply yourself to making yourself better in these areas, remember by doing so you are serving Christ and fulfilling the will of God. In addition to this, you may want to pray that God will give you favour in the boss’s eyes, then sit back and watch the Lord work. Bringing something to a head is not always a good idea and tends to open the door to the flesh. I hope this has helped and if you are anything like myself you haven’t enjoyed the response, but pray about it and let the Lord speak. I’m not the final authority so if what I have said doesn’t line up with the scripture then junk my words and take God’s words.