Proverbs 30.21-23
“Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up: a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food; an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.”
There are things that make the earth tremble, that disrupt society, that are unbearable. This passage describes four of those things. The theme in each situation is when a person acquires something they want, but having acquired it they respond selfishly and foolishly.
We saw the core principle earlier in Proverbs 30. Contentment is not always found in getting what you want. This is why Jesus said in Luke 12, “Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness.”
The first situation is when a slave becomes king. Proverbs 19:10 speaks to this: “It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.” The point is not to disparage slaves, the point is to beware of fools. It is foolish to think that fulfillment and happiness are found in achieving a position of power.
If you are selfish and foolish when you are a slave, you will be foolish and selfish when you are a king. If you are foolish and selfish when you are poor, you will be foolish and selfish when you are wealthy. Having power and wealth does not make you wise.
The social implications amplify this principle. If a person is selfish and foolish when they have no social or political power, they will be selfish and foolish when they are in positions of leadership and have social and political power. Selfish and foolish leaders are unbearable.
As I watch the protests, riots, and violence in the streets of our cities, it is crystal clear that we do not want those people in positions of power. Their rebellious spirit, hateful rhetoric, and violent behavior clearly demonstrate the destructive policies they would enact if they were given authority in our nation.
When people who are motivated by power are elected or appointed to positions in government, the result is oppression and tyranny. Beware the people who shout “we want justice and equality” as they throw bricks, destroy property, and loot stores. And beware the politicians and pundits who enable them.
May I also suggest that we also to our own hearts and motives for wanting a promotion to a higher level of authority where we work. Why do you want to be a supervisor, manager, administrator, or executive? Why do you want to be a leader? What are your motives? What is your intention? What do you want to gain? More money? Power? Popularity and notoriety? Are you motivated by pride or are you motivated to serve people?
In my four decades of leadership consulting, here is what I have observed as the mindset of an exceptional leader at any level in any organization or team. They start each each day with a leadership mindset by saying this to themselves:
Today I get to …
Lead with purpose.
Serve people.
Solve problems.
Bring energy.
Having made this verbal commitment to themselves, they go to work and do those things. If they are a follower of Christ, they do it in the name of Jesus.
Trust God, commit to a leadership mindset, and serve people.
