July 3, 2026

Business by the Book

I Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Employees are not servants in the context of being indentured, but every employee can learn qualities by studying what God’s Word says to servants.  One such quality is found in today’s verse.  That quality is submitting oneself to a manager, supervisor, or boss regardless of their personality or quality. 

We live in a day and age where the word “submission” carries a terrible context.  However, may I remind you that the Lord Jesus was submissive to His Heavenly Father, and without His submission, there would be no hope of salvation. While many find the word “submit” personally reprehensible, they desire others to be in submission. 

We expect our politicians to submit to the Constitution of our country.  We expect the Preacher to submit to the Word of God and the bylaws of his church. We expect children to submit to their parents. We expect soldiers to submit to higher ranking officers. We expect submission in the lives of others but seem to find it convenient to fail to submit ourselves. 

Many use their managers’ weaknesses, lack of character, personal grudges, or lack of respect as an excuse to not submit to them. May I remind you that authority is found in a position, not in a person. An enlisted man in the Army may not like the drill sergeant but life for that enlisted man will be so much better by submitting to that drill sergeant. The reasons to submit are not based on the drill sergeant’s fairness, personality, or sensitivity. The reasons to submit are based on the code of military justice that demands respect for the lawful orders of an officer. 

In everyday business there may be managers, supervisors, or bosses who are froward - meaning crooked, unfair, surly or even wicked - but these offer no excuse to fail to submit to their rightful decisions and managerial pronouncements. There is ample evidence in Scripture that the Lord will bless those who are submissive and render due rewards to those who are not, including managers, supervisors and bosses. Remember “Where there is a wrong, God can make it right.” He does every day. Just do your part and trust the Lord to do His part. He will if you will!

Dr. William Howe