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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 316

"And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him."

Text: Ephesians 6:9

OBTAINING WEALTH IN ONE’S LIFETIME

In life, one may find oneself in the role of “master”. Through an admixture of circumstances and personal effort, one may indeed be so successful that one has the means of having “bondslaves”. How should one behave as a Christian master?

SOLEMN ADVICE

Paul gave vital, solemn advice to all Christian masters. They would do well to take heed of what he admonished.

1. “Knowing that your own Master also is in heaven”

Let us ponder what Paul is saying here.

a) Slaves have more than an earthly master

This is the background thought. Paul urged Christian slaves to respect and honour their earthly masters. They can best do this by thinking of their Greater Master, the Lord who reigns in heaven.

b) Earthly masters have the Same Divine Master

Paul reminds earthly masters that they too have the same Lord as Master. They are to be mindful of this Great Master, even as they relate to their earthly bondslaves.

2. “There is no partiality with Him”

Paul gave a very strong hint that if earthly masters were to abuse their rights and privileges, they would have to answer to the Lord personally.

THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SERVANTS (Matthew 24:45-51)

As we conclude our study of Paul’s admonition to bondslaves and masters, it would be good to recall a parable that Jesus once again.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom
his master made ruler
over his household, to give them food in due season?
MATTHEW 24:45

The following thoughts are important to bear in mind:-

1. Every one is a servant

a) One may be made a ruler, but he is still under a Master.
b) One may be a bondslave- placed under both an earthly and Heavenly Master.

2. Good masters are well commended as “a faithful servant”

3. Bad masters who bully their servants will be personally judged by an impartial Master, the Lord God in heaven (Cf. Matthew 24:48-51)