What Does The Bible Say About Wages?

Many new believers don't realize just how much Scripture has to say about wages. Here are just a few examples to ponder.

Firstly, wages must be paid on time. When people were writing the books of the Bible, workers were paid at the end of each day.

The Lord commanded through Moses in Deuteronomy 24:14 and 15 (BBE), "Do not be hard on a servant who is poor and in need, if he is one of your countrymen or a man from another nation living with you in your land. Give him his payment day by day, not keeping it back over night; for he is poor and his living is dependent on it; and if his cry against you comes to the ears of the Lord, it will be judged as sin in you."

And if your employer tries to fiddle with your wages, as Laban did with Jacob's pay, God will give you help. As Jacob told his wives in Genesis 31:7-9 (BBE), "But your father has not kept faith with me, and ten times he has made changes in my payment; but God has kept him from doing me damage. If he said, All those in the flock which have marks are to be yours, then all the flock gave birth to marked young; and if he said, All the banded ones are to be yours, then all the flock had banded young. So God has taken away your father's cattle and has given them to me."

But if you agree to a certain wage and then grumble about it later, God won't be pleased. Jesus told a parable about a farmer hiring labourers at various times of the day to get his harvest in. Matthew 20:9-14 (BBE) says, "And when those men came who had gone to work at the eleventh hour, they were given every man a penny (a day's wage). Then those who came first had the idea that they would get more; and they, like the rest, were given a penny. And when they got it, they made a protest against the master of the house, Saying, 'These last have done only one hour's work, and you have made them equal to us, who have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.' But he in answer said to one of them, 'Friend, I do you no wrong: did you not make an agreement with me for a penny? Take what is yours, and go away; it is my pleasure to give to this last, even as to you.'"

When Jesus sent his disciples out, he told them to accept whatever hospitality people offered them. Luke 10:7 (BBE) says, "And keep in that same house, taking what food and drink they give you: for the worker has a right to his reward. Do not go from house to house."

John the Baptist also had a thing or three to say about wages. Luke 3:12-14 )BBE) reads, "Then tax-farmers came to him for baptism and said to him, 'Master, what have we to do?' And he said to them, 'Do not make an attempt to get more money than the right amount.' And men of the army put questions to him, saying, 'And what have we to do?' And he said to them, 'Do no violent acts to any man, and do not take anything without right, and let your payment be enough for you.'"

Of course there are spiritual wages mentioned as well. Romans 6:23 (KJV) explains, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So we can tell that it's the attitude one has toward wages which is important. They must be paid promptly and according to an agreed amount. And if one works wickedness, they're paid with eternal damnation.

I'll be writing about those spiritual wages in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? So many folks assume they'll go to paradise when they die but they'll be paid according to their wickedness. The worst form of sin is continually rejecting Christ's magnanimous offer of forgiveness.

On Thursday, I'll be posting about the wealthy and how poor some of them are. That sounds contradictory but I'll explain why it isn't.