Have you noticed that Billionaires have been getting some bad press lately? There are more of them than ever before and their share of the world’s Money Pie has grown to the highest rates in modern history.

Why yes, I am wearing a bowtie made from the tears of the poor. Thank you for noticing.

In fact, just 26 of them, guys like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, own as much as the poorest half of the world put together.

Meanwhile, 10,000 people die every day because they lack access to affordable healthcare. Boo!

Inequality has been grabbing headlines and fueling political unrest around the world – and it’s looking set to be the big theme of the 2020 US election.

But it’s not just Bernie. And it’s not just Brexit. Inequality is hitting home everywhere – including here in Cambodia where gold BMW’s cruise past beggars on the streets of a city where the mega-wealthy exploit the poor with impunity.

So, what possible wisdom could these ancient words from Paul to the Colossians bring to our context of inequality in 2020 – from Pittsburgh to Phnom Penh, and from London to Lagos?

As usual Paul is much more subversive than you might think:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col 3:22-24)

Most of us know that there are literal slaves today. Ask any anti-trafficking organization and they will tell you that millions work in bonded labour. Millions more are trafficked into forced prostitution and worse. Any form of slavery is an abomination.

But there are also what we call Wage Slaves – poor folks who have no choice but to work menial soul-sucking jobs just to pay the rent and get by. A lot of us are wage slaves.

Obey your earthly masters does not sound like the kind of uplifting message that we would want to tell wage slaves today. It’s not a sermon I would naturally preach. And it’s certainly not one of those inspiring memes to post on Instagram.

But hear me out. The thing all these folks have in common – from bonded laborer to trafficking victim to wage slave, is that they have very little choice. They either physically cannot leave, or economically they have no choice. Or both.

They’re paying for medicine for a sick child. They’re working two jobs to keep a roof over their heads. They’re one missed car payment away from having no way to get to work. Wage slaves.

And it’s this lack of choice that Paul is addressing. Paul is saying, “You gotta do what gotta do.” He’s conceding that for most of the world’s downtrodden, it’s impossible to just walk away, or immediately rise up in revolution. For now, you gotta obey. That’s just an everyday reality for a lot of people.

These words right here are Paul’s subversive instructions for the interim. While we’re waiting (and agitating) for the world to be turned upside-down, we actually need to know what to do.

See, Colossians 3 needs to be read in the light of the overarching vision of Galatians 3 – “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In God’s Kingdom we are all equal. Not unequal and divided. Not some oppressed, and others living the high life. Slavery and massive inequality is evil - and it must end.

Thumbs up for the CEO earning 278 times more than the average worker. Hip-hip…..

But honestly, we’re not there yet. The Kingdom of God has not fully come on earth as it is in heaven.

And so, Paul gives these directions about how to live a decent (subversive) life even in the context of being oppressed.

Sure - you gotta do what you gotta do. You gotta obey. But you don’t have to allow them to enslave your mind as well.

Whatever work you do, work for the Lord instead.

He repeats this beautiful idea THREE times – do it for the Lord…, for the Lord…, …it is the Lord Christ you are serving. He believes that our daily work can be undertaken with sincerity of heart and reverence - when offered up to God.

So, as they crack the whip, tighten your chains, and force you to do more and more, remember – your hard work is a beautiful act. But not so much for the boss-men – they are not your true owners or masters. Instead, offer your hard work to the Lord.

I love how Paul tucks in this promise for the downtorodden: unlike slaves throughout history who are the property of their masters and get nothing, you will receive an inheritance. The Kingdom of God is going to be very very good news for the poor and exploited. The rich and powerful will be brought down from their thrones and the poor and hungry will one day be lifted up.

The upside-down Kingdom revolution is coming. But for now - as long as you have no choice, bide your time.

Finally, and importantly, this is not just a one-sided word to the oppressed. Paul continues his radical reframing of hierarchical relationships with instructions for those who are better off:

“Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,
because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Col 4:1)

Another subversive statement! After all, why should an ancient slave owner give his slaves what is right and fair? They are his property to use and abuse as he sees fit. This maltreatment of ancient slaves extended to sexual abuse, rape, degradation, beatings, and of course no money! Nada!

And when a slave was all used up – of no further economic benefit - they would be discarded. Just like many corporations do today. Can’t work? Get out.

But Paul slips this radical idea about fairness in here, and in doing so reframes the whole relationship. Masters you need to do right by your workers. Masters you need to pay them a fair wage. Masters you need to treat your workers with justice. Ignore this at your peril. Because this is Kingdom economics.

You now recognize your one true Master – our Father God in heaven.

Maybe this is the word you need as you face the inequality of 2020. While you’re waiting and working for justice, commit your work to the Lord. You gotta do what you gottta do. But do it wholeheartedly for God instead. He is your one true Master. And he is a good good Father.

And for those of us with resources and power, let us recommit to treating everyone with fairness and justice. Because the day is coming where there will be no more slave or free.

The day is coming where we will have justice.

“Slaves obey your earthly masters” may just be the subversive word you need in 2020