Ephesians 6

Paul writes about slaves obeying their masters and masters treating their slaves properly. In the context of their culture, that makes perfect sense. Most of the Roman Empire was populated with slaves and those slaves supported the economy and technology of the time. In the present, we have outlawed slavery, but this same principle can be applied.

Although we are not strictly bound to a master, most of us do still work for someone much as the slaves of old did. Of course, we are free to change jobs generally at will and we are free to hire and fire our workers generally at will, but the principle of working for someone else is still in place. I think that this really cuts to the heart of the passage.

It's not about condoning or condemning slavery. It's about condoning the idea that we all work for someone here on earth and that we should all do that to the best of our ability. It's about recognizing the fact that many of us in management or higher levels of our companies have others that work for us, and we should respect them and treat them with dignity. Finally, it's about recognizing that even though hierarchical organizations and command structure are necessary here on earth, they do not exist in God's eyes. He sees us all as equally sinful and equally redeemed, so we should be careful to not be too prideful or too envious of our earthly situation.