Bosses and Subordinates

Tell him, ‘You think you are like a lion among the nations. Instead, you are like a crocodile in the water. You splash around in the water. You stir up the water with your feet. You make the streams muddy.’ This is what the Almighty LORD says: When many nations gather together, I will spread my net over you, and they will haul you up in a net. (Ezekiel 32:2-3 GWT)

As an employee, I have met many bosses and supervisors who are Christians. Not all of them are easy to work with or for and some are extremely difficult to get along, especially when it comes to meeting their demands and expectations. How should we as subordinates respond to such bosses and supervisors?

A good example of the correct working attitude we should adopt is found in the relationship between King Saul and David. Despite the dangers and hardship David went through to serve King Saul, there was never a time David harbored any thought of revenge or retaliation. Even when he was on the run, he said to his men it would be unthinkable for him to raise his hand against the LORD's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6; 26:11). Doubtless to say, our bosses and supervisors are not necessarily God’s anointed. But they are the appointed authority over us and we know what God’s word says about submission to our leaders, even to those who are unfair or unreasonable (Romans 13:1; Colossians 3:22; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14, 18-19).

If we are employers, bosses, or supervisors, how should we treat our subordinates? By providing them what is right and fair, and not threatening them (Colossians 4:1; Ephesians 6:9). Remember what God said to the Pharaoh in the days of prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 32:2-3). God warned Pharaoh that while he thought he was a lion among the nations, to God, he was merely like a crocodile splashing around in the water, stirring with its feet to make the streams muddy. When the nations shall gather together, God said He would spread His net over him and they would haul him up in a net.

Like the crocodile that stirs up water with its feet, bosses and supervisors are able to ‘splash around’ and stir up much trouble in a work environment to make life difficult and unsuitable for their subordinates. If that happens, be aware that the ones who have suffered shall come together to God, and He will surely intervene.

Dear Lord, help us keep our cool amid working for those who may not treat us well. Do not allow us to harbor thoughts of seeking retaliation Lord, but put in us an attitude of complete trust in You. As bosses and supervisors Lord, help us not to abuse our authority or stir up trouble for others. Keep us in Your hands O Lord and guide us to provide whatever is right and fair to our subordinates. Remind us constantly Lord never to threaten those who work with or under us to perform beyond their abilities, for we know they have a Master in heaven too.