Colossians 4:1
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Paul reminded the masters, or those who are supervisors, to treat their staff with principles that are right and fair. While you may not be a supervisor at work, but you may still be supervising your children at home, leading brothers and sisters at church or managing volunteers in other places. The principle of fairness must be exercised in all situations.
You must treat people with the same attitude that you would like the Lord in heaven to treat you. We must not have double-standard, using one standard to treat others but expect the Lord to treat you differently. The Lord told the parable of a man who owed the king ten thousand talents, but was forgiven by the benevolent king. When he left the palace ran into someone who owed him a hundred denaris and wasn't able to pay back, he wanted the guy put in jail. King heard about it and summoned him again to rebuke him as a wicked servant who should have forgiven the debt of others like how he was forgiven. The teaching in this parable is also reflected in the Sermon on the Mount, as Matthews 7:12 says that "in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." As a subordinate, you need to exercise these principles to treat those whom God entrusted you in the same way that you want your supervisor to treat you.
First of all, a successful supervisor needs to know how to encourage others. Everyone needs encouragement - children expect affirmation from their parents, students expect praises from the teacher, spouse needs each other's attention, and subordinates expect your recognition. We need to pay attention to their performance, to praise them when they are doing well, and do comfort them when they are not. When subordinates know that the supervisor is paying attention to their performance, they will naturally work harder.
Second, a successful supervisor knows how to promote subordinates. We need to promote those who are talented and not envy them. Barnabas recognized Paul's abilities and spent time to train him. It turned out that Paul came out ahead of Barnabas and became a more valuable vehicle in God's hands. Barnabas didn't lose his sense of security and became jealous of Paul, but he instead continued to collaborate with Paul. May God give us a bigger heart so that we can promote those who are talented.
Third, we need to correct mistakes appropriately. Fairness is a standard, and a successful supervisor must have a set of principles and standards. The same principles must be exercised everywhere - home, office, church or other organizations, otherwise people won't know what to expect and just become more frustrated.
Has God placed you in the position of a supervisor? If so, I pray that the Lord will help you to uphold the principle of fairness and become a great supervisor!
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord Jesus, I thank you because you are the Lord who is fair. Please place in our hearts a fairness that is on the heaven, so that we will have the wisdom to supervise those you have entrusted us. Lord, let me become someone who can encourage others today, and let your grace and mercy flow through us. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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