A WORD TO THE WISE: Proverbs 28: 16.

Proverbs 28: 16     A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

Proverbs 28: 16.  The verse makes 2 crucial connections about the character of a leader and, thus, the choosing of a leader.

1) If you want to be oppressed, persecuted, and tread upon then, choose a leader who is covetous.  A leader who cares primarily about lining his/her own pockets will automatically be an oppressive leader because for him/ her to have it all they will necessary have to take it from those under his/her authority. 

Remember that oppression isn’t primarily about order; it’s primarily about profit.  So then a leader who’s primarily about personal profit will use oppressive tactics.  Haven’t you noticed that the richest of the rich multi-billionaire presidents are dictators?

2) If you want to be oppressed, persecuted, and tyrannized, then choose a leader who doesn’t know what the crap he/she is doing. 

Incompetent leaders are paranoid and jealous of talented, intelligent subordinates.  Incompetent leader know that they don’t have the skills to earn their position so they use oppressive tactics to maintain their authority.

Think about the boss you had who didn’t understand how to do his/her job.  Remember what a butthole that boss was?

Haven’t you noticed that most dictators sound like complete idiots when they talk?

Solomon’s solution in this Proverb is simple, but it requires great moral courage.  If you are a leader, choose to hate your own tendency to covetousness.   Desire to be a servant rather than to be served. (Pretty New Testament for an Old Testament king, huh?) 

If you as a leader want for others more than you want for yourself, then you’ll humble yourself to learn whatever you need to learn; you’ll  recruit and promote talented people even/ especially if they’re actually smarter than you; and ultimately, if you cannot do the job right, you’ll elevate someone who can and honorably step aside.

If you find a leader whose words and actions prove that kind of mentality---- follow them without fear.

If you can’t find a leader like that, then be a leader like that.

----- Anderson T. Graves II

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church

Call/ fax: 334-288-0577
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Hall Memorial CME Church
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