The role of an employer is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, providing guidance on the responsibilities and ethical conduct expected of those in positions of authority over workers. The Scriptures emphasize fairness, justice, and the recognition of the dignity of labor.

Fair Treatment and Justice

Employers are called to treat their employees with fairness and justice. In Colossians 4:1, the Apostle Paul instructs, "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." This verse underscores the principle that employers should act justly, recognizing their own accountability to God.

Similarly, in Ephesians 6:9, Paul advises, "And masters, do the same for them. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him." This passage highlights the importance of treating employees with respect and avoiding intimidation or favoritism.

Wages and Compensation

The Bible also addresses the issue of fair wages. In Leviticus 19:13, it is commanded, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand." This law reflects the importance of timely and honest compensation for work performed.

James 5:4 further warns against the injustice of withholding wages: "Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." This passage serves as a reminder that God hears the cries of those who are wronged and will hold employers accountable for their actions.

Respect and Dignity

The Bible encourages employers to recognize the inherent dignity of their workers. In Job 31:13-15, Job reflects on his treatment of his servants: "If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me, what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account? Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One form us both in the womb?" This passage emphasizes the shared humanity between employer and employee, urging respect and understanding.

Servant Leadership

The concept of servant leadership is also present in the teachings of Jesus. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus explains, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Employers are encouraged to lead by serving, prioritizing the well-being of their employees.

Accountability to God

Ultimately, employers are reminded of their accountability to God. In Proverbs 22:2, it is stated, "The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all." This verse serves as a reminder that all people, regardless of their social or economic status, are created by God and are equal in His eyes.

Employers are thus called to conduct their business with integrity, fairness, and a recognition of their responsibility before God, ensuring that their practices reflect the values and principles outlined in Scripture.Leviticus 25:43
You shall not rule over him with rigor; but shall fear your God.
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Deuteronomy 5:14
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor your ass, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates; that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well as you.
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Deuteronomy 24:14,15
You shall not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of your brothers, or of your strangers that are in your land within your gates:
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Leviticus 19:13
You shall not defraud your neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with you all night until the morning.
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Job 31:13-15
If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
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Proverbs 22:16
He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want.
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Proverbs 29:21
He that delicately brings up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
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Jeremiah 22:13
Woe to him that builds his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that uses his neighbor's service without wages, and gives him not for his work;
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Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, said the LORD of hosts.
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Matthew 10:10
Nor money for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
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Matthew 20:10-15
But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
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Luke 10:7
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
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Romans 4:4
Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
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Ephesians 6:9
And, you masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
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Colossians 4:1
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
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1 Timothy 5:18
For the scripture said, You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
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Philemon 1:15,16
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever;
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James 5:4,5
Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, cries: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
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Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... the supreme Lover, Student, Expositor, and Employer of the ... the lack of personal
acquaintance with the Scriptures. ... What created beings in general are of course ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iii secret study of.htm

The Church in Theology and Literature.
... versifications of the Psalms and other Scriptures to some ... is the fact explained by
the general low average ... Wage System; the Relations of Employer and Employed ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xxi the church in.htm

The Approval of the Spirit
... him in his work in the Old Testament Scriptures. ... is a message from a former employer
who tells ... framing God's promises long enough," said General Booth, "and ...
/.../chapman/and judas iscariot/the approval of the spirit.htm

Colossians iii. 17
... the authority of a master, or an employer, or of ... Paul's general declarations of divine
truth might not be shaken ... and do apply it to the Scriptures, namely, that ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

Instructions to Converts.
... warrant keeping persons back, that no general rules can ... points, the divine authority
of the scriptures, the necessity ... take the money of his employer, and spend ...
/.../lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xix instructions to converts.htm

The Counter-Reformation
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general and in a ... 17th Sept.1562) decrees were published concerning the Holy ...
/.../chapter iv the counter-reformation.htm

Measures to Promote Revivals.
... pray together and expound the Scriptures, and this ... The General Association of
Connecticut refused to countenance ... for himself but for his employer, considers it ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xiv measures to promote.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
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make them ... Second Table, expunge the commandment concerning images from ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... he now deals vividly with the general temptations of ... culture, as they expounded the
scriptures or exhorted ... also gave them a command concerning their neighbours ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

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