If you were asked to identify the greatest trait of great workers, what would you say? Perhaps you might focus on skills or past accomplishments or maybe even potential.
What do think the apostle Paul would say? In the above text, he addressed the slaves of the first century. Since the slaves were the workers, then the slave owners (masters) were the employers. Paul commanded the workers to submit to their employers.
The word translated “to be subject to” in Titus 2:9 is the Greek work upotasso (hoop-ot-as'-so). This is a compound word from upo, which means “under” and tasso, which means “to assign.” The sense of the word is that a worker is placed under the authority of an employer. This implies that God is the one doing the placing because all authority comes from God (see Romans 13).
When a worker recognizes God’s sovereignty in workplace assignments, the only proper response is full submission to his or her employer or manager.
In Titus 2:9—10, the apostle Paul offered three traits that demonstrate submission.
- The worker shows up. The first trait is expressed by the phrase “to please them.” The Greek means “to be present,” which implies to show up in every way—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Workers demonstrate submission when they are focused on their work and allow no distractions.
- The worker is in fellowship with God. The second trait is expressed by the phrase “not to talk back to them.” A person’s words reveal the person’s heart (Luke 6:45). As a maxim, a person who speaks negatively reveals that his or her heart is not in fellowship with God; a person who speaks positively reveals a heart in fellowship with God. Workers demonstrate submission by using their tongues wisely and appropriately in the workplace.
- The worker subordinates personal agendas to the good of the organization. The third trait is expressed by the phrase “not to steal from them.” Anytime a worker puts his or her interests ahead of the organization’s interests, it is theft. Workers demonstrate submission by working singularly for the highest good of the organization.
Workers who display these three traits are submissive and trustworthy; they are great workers.
Note also Paul’s statement that submissive trustworthy workers are not only great workers, they are also great witnesses for Christ.
Here is your business tip. As owners or managers, you are functioning based on God-delegated authority. Build your organization with great workers, that is, submitted trustworthy workers. Train your workers in the virtues of submission to authority. Teach a biblical view of submission, including the three traits that demonstrate submission: showing up, being in fellowship with God, and subordinating personal interests to the organization’s interests. When you build with submissive workers, you build with trustworthy workers who will deliver great value propositions to your customers and, in the process, bear a positive testimony to Christ. Submission is the greatest trait of great workers.
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