Ephesians (W11D4) Fair Wages
Week 11. Thursday: Fair Wages
PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
READ: Ephesians 6:8
8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words
You Know (Greek: oida): to know or understand definitively
Paul is saying that this is something we should know with certainty.
Paul is describing a non-negotiable principle in this verse.
Reward (Greek: komizō): to receive back what was invested
“Reward” is not the best translation of this term.
When we think of getting a reward we don’t often relate it to the integrity or quality of our work. In our sin nature, we often want what we haven’t earned.
Whatever Good (Greek: ean agathos): useful, excellent, upright, honorable
What we will receive back will be in proportion to our good work.
This principle is also found in 2 Corinthians 9:6.
Slave or Free: this principle applies to all people in all circumstances
APPLY: What is this passage calling me to do?
There is an ideology today called equality of outcome. This view says that it’s not enough to have equal opportunity for everyone, but we must also have equal rewards for everyone. This has led to a culture of rewarding everyone just for showing up. However, Paul is teaching that what we receive will be in proportion to what we have done. You reap what you sow every time. This is how God designed life to work.
What are the negative consequences of reward mere participation?
Do you serve to be rewarded or because it’s the right thing to do?
Why do we want to be rewarded beyond our level of commitment?
PRAY: Ask God to help you work and serve with excellence.
