Paul Explains Slaves And Money

The mention of, and lesson to, slaves in the New Testament can be viewed in an obtuse manner by those with critical hearts.

The mention of slaves is clearly not construed as 'supportive', nor 'promoting' such an institution, but more recognizing the nature of man's heart and the fact that mankind is free to make choices.

Consider the recipients of the Gospel message were largely (and continue to be) subjects of secular governments.

Some men still choose to enslave others... and their religion not only supports it, their culture exemplifies it.

Men are free to subdue others around them, or go about their lives in which others have no choice but to participate in certain systems of men.

Men also have choice to free themselves from an enslaving institution (in the civilized parts of the world).

The challenge in removing the economic shackles is this: does the newly emancipated man turn around and now enslave others?

This is the test.

This is what is behind the reality of law, order, power.

All of mankind is a slave in one manner, but is called to be free and invited into the kingdom of God.

In the physical sense, the slave can become a 'free' man... and may now become a master searching for slaves... becoming the problem they were previously avoiding to be subjected to.

They, although having their fill of this world, are still slaves in the worse sense.

God's influence in the world, from eternity and continuing to this very moment, is not a hands-off approach as some critics would argue.

His attention has never left, yet the manner that attention comes to fruition is through mankind itself.

We each have a role to play.

God's eyes and attention is on us; our hearts, our choices, our way of life.

God could have removed many detrimental ideas from the minds of men long ago... any litany of sinful thoughts.

Yet, how does a child learn not to play with fire (even after being warned not to) but after they feel the heat... or are burned.

How does one learn how not to treat others but after being mistreated.

What needs to be realized is that God abhors the manner one man treats another man outside of love.

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s Name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. 

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Yeshua Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Yeshua, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Yeshua Christ, which God will bring about in His own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen. 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. 

Grace be with you all. 

- 1 Timothy 6

In the world, if you are an employer or an employee, you are still in a relation that includes a master-slave dynamic.

The slave wishes to be treated with dignity, while the employer wishes to be respected.

Has anything changed even when people are free to choose their employment (whether self or working for others)?

What needs to be understood is that God has established a means to survive the corruption still found in the world... but some people like to go about their own solutions while ignoring God's solution.

A corrupted mind cannot be taught God's truth, and thus why one man justifies his slavery and considers himself a wealthy man... while another man recognizes their responsible role and how they are a slave to righteousness (regardless of their position in the physical world).