Just as Paul had instructions for the relationship between children and parents, he also gave instructions for the relationship between slaves and masters, which we can apply to our relationships on the job or the ministry teams we work on.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites (Eph. 6:5-9).

Serve them sincerely…with all your heart…as though you were working for the Lord. We looked at very similar instruction from Paul to the Church at Colosse when we studied Colossians earlier this month.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.

Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master – in heaven (Col. 3:22-4:1).

Serve them sincerely…as though you were working for the Lord…the Master you are serving is Christ.

God calls us to have a servant attitude in everything we do and in every relationship – whether we are the child or the parent, whether we are the leader or being led. It all comes down to the fact that we all have the same Master – God.

This month is Pastor Appreciation Month. There are quite a few incredible pastors in my life who serve God with a servant attitude. They work long, hard hours – pouring their lives out in response to God’s call. Pastors are willing to go where God sends them, respond as the Holy Spirit leads them and sacrificially dedicate their lives to the Great Commission.

To all the incredible ministry leaders reading this today, whether you are a pastor or a Sunday School teacher or Director of a pregnancy center, I speak these words of Paul to you. Do the will of God with ALL your heart. Work with enthusiasm, because you are working for the Lord and not to please people.

Serve sincerely out of the reverent love you have for your Savior, Jesus Christ. Work willingly at whatever you do – whether it’s this incredible moment of ministry or it’s the toughest thing you have ever been asked to do. Serve humbly, knowing God loves you SO much but that He also loves those He has called you to serve. On your toughest day, hold onto the beautiful promise that the Lord has an inheritance waiting for you, a reward for your faithful obedience. The Master you are serving is Christ.

To everyone: Whatever God has called you to do today, wherever He has placed you – serve God today with your whole heart. Consider every task ahead of you as if you are doing it for the Lord. Remember that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Have you shown appreciation to your pastors this month? The enemy is daily seeking to discourage and defeat them. Let’s always be an instrument of encouragement in their lives. With deep respect, let’s follow their leadership and serve God with all our hearts.