“Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.” Proverbs 29:21
Devotional Thought For The Day
The Hebrew words in this passage are so few that it is virtually impossible to argue with certainty as to whether what is described is positive or a travesty. We literally have only these words: bring up, youthful, servant, at the end, becomes, heir. The KJV retains neutrality, but most English translations understand the proverb as warning against something negative, probably because of the Greek Septuagint translation which renders the last phrase: “will in the end bring sorrow [grief, torment] upon himself.” At any rate, the dynamic is clearly stated, that if one treats and raises a servant as a member of one’s family, that person will become ingratiated into the family and likely end up an heir. This may turn out well – if the servant is an honorable and loyal person, or it may turn out poorly if the servant is spoiled, assumes he is privileged, and becomes lazy, proud, and slothful. It is often hard to predict even how children will turn out, and probably more so for employees. The proverb simply warns us to consider carefully the impact that our treatment and closeness to others may have as time goes on.
This brings into mind the wide diversity of our relationships with other people. There are two considerations, and both have to do with the reality of the infection of sin in our hearts, and the distortions that it brings. The first is our own hearts, sinful by nature, selfish, hard and cold toward others, thinking only of what we can get out of others and having little regard to their feelings or circumstances. Those who have imbibed the love of God know that we must put off this sin, selfishness, pride, and callousness. So we begin to love, and strive to grow in love, and seek to “do unto others” as we would have them do unto us. This however creates vulnerabilities – for those whom we befriend and care about and grow to love are also sinful human beings, with the same selfishness, hardness, coldness, and perhaps even envy, jealousy, and malice toward their benefactors. Many “masters” have been stabbed in the back [in a variety of ways] by people they have lifted up, trusted, and supported. There is little more painful than having such good repaid by wretched, hurtful, and destructive wickedness, from the hands and mouths of those whom we loved, befriended, and trusted.
But this alone cannot determine how we choose to be and behave toward others. There are no exceptions to God’s call to love. We are even called upon to love our enemies. Consider what Jesus teaches us: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” [Matt. 5:44]; “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” [Luke 6:27]; “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” [Luke 6:35]. So our relationships with others, how we govern them and manage them, are more complicated and nuanced than we would like – for while we are to love and do good to others, it is not loving or good to encourage and enable others to engage and to indulge their sinful nature in acts of jealous and malicious destruction against us. We might want to consider much of this under the rubric of the Lord Jesus: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” [Matt. 10:16] Frankly, these are two difficult things to master and hold in proper balance, becoming as wise as serpents, and also remaining as innocent and harmless as doves.
So the proverb provides us with good advice, how we should be careful and considerate in thinking about the boundaries of our relationships with others. Certainly this applies to our children, and also to our parents as they grow older and more dependent upon us. It applies to our neighbors. It also applies to our friendships and closer relationships. It is also important in our work relationships – both with those who supervise us and those who work for us. If we teach, we must consider the same in our relationships with administrators, fellow teachers, and especially our students. Sadly, many find these considerations to be necessary even within marriage – even though the Scripture describes this relationship as becoming one flesh. Obviously, as trust is built barriers and defenses should be eroded and dismantled and this blessing actualize more fully. But all human beings, even those who are being renewed in God’s love, remain in this life sinners who are capable of hurting, harming, and damaging us. We cannot live risk-free unless we become hermits; but the proverb permits and encourages prudence in the way we love one another.
Thankfully, there is one relationship in which we can have full trust and confidence, and that is in God’s gracious, merciful, and perfect love for us. There are times when it seems that He is aloof, or perhaps un-trusting toward us – but He also must manage and discipline the destructive [and self-destructive] aspects of our sinful nature. Nonetheless, there is no reason ever for us to doubt His love, for He has gently raised His servants [us] and made us His children and heirs. This also provides us with food for thought as we consider our relationships with others. May He guard and protect us – from others and from our own foolishness; may He grant us great wisdom and even greater love for others; may we learn to love as He has loved us.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, the fog of sin makes it difficult for us to know how best to love others. Help us to take courage knowing that in spite of the vulnerabilities of love, You are there to watch over us and protect us. Grant us wisdom so that we do not harm others by providing them with opportunity to behave wickedly toward us and others. Keep us humble, in repentance, that we always take refuge in Your perfect and eternal love for us, and that we grow in our ability to truly love one another. Amen.