Topical Bible: Servants: Hired: Not to be Oppressed

◄ Servants: Hired: Not to be Oppressed ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the treatment of hired servants is a subject addressed with clear directives, emphasizing fairness, justice, and compassion. The Scriptures provide guidance on how employers should interact with those they hire, ensuring that servants are treated with dignity and respect.

Biblical Mandates

The Bible explicitly instructs against the oppression of hired servants. In Leviticus 19:13 , it is written: "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand." This command underscores the importance of timely and fair compensation, reflecting a broader principle of justice and integrity in dealings with others.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15 further elaborates on this principle: "Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise, he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin." This passage highlights the vulnerability of hired servants, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged, and the moral obligation to ensure their well-being.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The biblical injunctions against oppressing hired servants are rooted in the broader ethical framework of love and justice that permeates Scripture. The treatment of servants is not merely a matter of economic transaction but is deeply connected to the character and witness of the believer. The call to treat hired servants justly is an extension of the command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18).

The prophets also echo this concern for justice and fair treatment. Malachi 3:5 warns of judgment against those who "oppress the hired worker in his wages," placing this sin alongside other grave injustices. This prophetic voice reinforces the seriousness with which God views the exploitation of workers.

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, the principles of fair treatment and respect for workers continue to be affirmed. While the socio-economic structures of the ancient world differ from modern contexts, the underlying values remain relevant. James 5:4 addresses the issue of withheld wages: "Look, the wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." This passage serves as a reminder that God is attentive to the plight of the oppressed and will hold accountable those who exploit them.

Practical Implications

For believers, the biblical teachings on the treatment of hired servants call for a commitment to ethical business practices and a compassionate approach to employment. Employers are encouraged to reflect God's justice and mercy in their interactions with employees, ensuring that they are not only compensated fairly but also treated with the respect and dignity due to all who are made in the image of God.

In summary, the biblical perspective on hired servants emphasizes the importance of justice, timely payment, and the avoidance of oppression. These principles serve as a guide for righteous living and reflect the heart of God for fairness and compassion in all human relationships.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 24:14
You shall not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of your brothers, or of your strangers that are in your land within your gates:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Heathen Plots
... Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so ... with ingratitude and
treachery, but he did not use his ... to serve God, are at hear the servants of Satan ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 55 heathen plots.htm

Home as a Nursery.
... The body of your child has not the blooming, blushing form of nature ... the whole care
and responsibility of the nursery upon hired and irreligious servants. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xiii home as a.htm

Life and Conduct of the Holy Women, Xanthippe, Polyxena, and ...
... in haste, and coming to the shore they hired a ship ... time showed myself not even to
my servants, and now ... my sister Polyxena, I wretched one did not think that ...
/.../unknown/the acts of xanthippe and polyxena/life and conduct of the.htm

Delivered on the Lord's Day, on that which is Written in the ...
... For did they who were hired into the vineyard, when the ... For we are servants of his
household, we are sent to ... who tells him "Arouse your father, do not let him ...
/.../sermon xxxvii delivered on the.htm

Ahab and Naboth
... to the cottage, though it be only a hired one, where ... let others do the wickedness
he had not courage to ... in those whom they employ, in their servants, in their ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xi ahab and naboth.htm

The Life of Mr. William Vetch.
... Sabbath, he so tired his horse, that he was not able to ... He hired the herd man of
Harnam to lead him, taking his ... house hard by, who sent out two servants with a ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr william 3.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... Mark the servants of God's choice, and how completely they ... Balak hired Balaam to
curse the Israelites but God ... not Aaron his elder brother who was not slow of ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

Paul in Malta and Rome.
... in the persons of his faithful servants, they accounted ... the thirtieth verse, in a
house which he had hired. ... The unbelief of the Jews was not the consequence of ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxix paul in malta.htm

Preached Before the Governor, and Council, and the House of ...
... of his sleep." Prophets, and the greatest servants of God ... Franck, previous to bringing
them here, I hired a house ... was in a great measure, if not totally, owing ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/preached before the governor and.htm

The Romance of M. Renan. By Napoleon Roussel.
... no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." That
is ... He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth ...
/.../the romance of m renan and the christ of the gospels/the romance of m renan.htm