A WORD TO THE WISE. Proverbs 29: 21. "Servants & Sons"

Proverbs 29: 21     He who pampers his servant from childhood will have him as a son in the end.

Proverbs 29:21.  Solomon was fair and just.  He was that rare leader who could negotiate with monarchs or arbitrate between two hookers with the equal attentiveness and respect.  But, Solomon was also the elite of the elite.  He was the top of the top 1%.  

Solomon had been born in the palace, the son of the king. But Solomon’s father, David, had been a a working class shepherd and soldier who’d risen from carrying other soldiers’ armor to leading the entire army.  Solomon appreciated the importance of upward mobility.

Solomon enjoyed the lifestyle of the rich and famous.  Yet, he also understood that he had not earned his position as king.  It had been given to him by God, and if not for the grace of God, he would not have been able to hold onto it, let alone prosper in it. 

Solomon understood money, and he valued labor.  He was an elite class leader with working class sensibilities.

So, when Solomon talks about a servant rising to the status of a son, you have to wonder:  Was this a warning, or was it encouragement?

As a warning, the message to bosses and leaders is to not “baby” their workers/followers.  If you excuse them when they’re irresponsible, if you reward them without merit, if you fail to enforce accountability then they will come to depend on you----- for everything.   They become your dependents--- your sons.

You end up with a committee/ board on which no one works but the chairperson.  You end up with an office where everyone gets paid while the supervisor handles all the  actual business.  You end up with a church where if the pastor goes away, so does all the ministry.

The proverb could be a warning.

But……

In Solomon’s day, a son was also a guarantee of security and continuity of the family’s legacy.  In that context, the proverb encourages leaders and bosses to treat their workers like family.   A leader should be so good to her team that as they grow personally and professionally they come to love their leader.  A good leader should treat his people so well that they remain loyal to him and his vision even after he has handed over the reins of power and title.  Thus, the “father’s” mission passes to the “sons,” and the VISION becomes a LEGACY.

The Apostle Paul did this with young pastors Timothy and Apollos (1 Corinthians 4: 6, 14-17).  The Prophet Moses did this with a lay warrior named Joshua (Deuteronomy 34: 9; Joshua 1: 1,2).  Jesus did this with a group of little children whom we call “the disciples” (John 13:33).

So.  Is Proverbs 29:21 a warning against pampering your servant or a word of encouragement to do just that?

Without contradiction, the answer is: BOTH.

Hold your people accountable.  Don’t treat them like babies.  At the same time, treat them well, like a loving, fair, and strong father should.  If you practice the right balance then your organization, your people, and you will profit from your relationship in the short term and far into the future.

---Anderson T. Graves II   is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

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