20130519
Submitting to the boss must be one of the hardest things to do for the modern-day Christian worker in Singapore, who works long and hard hours. If the worker has aptitude and ability, work can be a joy. If not, work can be very onerous. But the passage in 1 Tim. 6:1, 2 clearly states that we are to heed our superior’s instructions. Are you cringing about having to yield to the authority of an unfair and uncaring supervisor? Look to the shepherd boy David’s example for some comfort.
In a sense, King Saul was David’s boss and an unreasonable one. The story of Saul’s jealousy of David – after David became a hero for killing Goliath and became friendly with Saul’s son, Jonathan – is well-known. Saul tried all ways to destroy David, even sending 3,000 elite troops into the wilderness to pursue him (1 Sam. 24). How do you submit to someone who rewards good with evil? David did. When he had the chance to kill Saul in a cave, he did not do so. He merely cut a piece of Saul’s garment and later called out to Saul to plead his case. Saul let David off but he was to die an awful death. Not that Christian workers should seek the destruction of their unfair bosses but God knows how to reward – and punish.
Many years back, I had a boss whose main job was to politick and make our lives miserable. After a couple of years, my colleagues and I felt we had had enough. We moved to petition his removal. Hab. 2:4 came to me in my Bible reading: “the just shall live by his faith”. But I was impatient and suppressed my doubts about the petition. The boss got his just deserts but made things emotionally messy for us. Lesson: I had not lived by my faith to wait for God to act.
Fast-forward to many years later and another tough work situation. This time, I cry and pray, and do as best I can. I wait nearly a year before change comes. Same boss but different work conditions – no mess, only a peaceful outcome. Christian workers, whose superiors are unbelievers, have an added responsibility – to work and not whine – so God is not reviled nor his name shamed. It may sound cliche but God’s disposing of a tough workplace situation is better than any plans we have.
