“A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame and will share an inheritance among the brothers” (Proverbs 17:2).
In the ancient cultures, it was often the case that a master’s sons and his slaves’ children were raised together (Gal. 4:1-2). In addition, Abram thought so highly of his steward Eliezer of Damascus he had designated his servant to be the heir of his house and wealth should he die childless (Gen. 15:2-3). Therefore, in Solomon’s attempt to stress the intense importance and urgency of living wisely, he approaches this recurring message from the angle of profitability.
The New Testament’s message is even more mind-boggling. Jesus told His apostles: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:14-15). If God’s New Testament servants (i.e. Jesus’ friends) live wisely (Mat. 25:21, 23), they will inherit eternal life (Mat. 19:29). They will be heirs of God and joint (co-) heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).
Living wisely pays endless dividends.
