Millennials and Book of Proverbs

1. How do the Millennials measure up to the Book of Proverbs? Be sure to cite specific examples (about 3 examples).
Millennials were raised differently from their parents and grandparents, leading to totally different worldviews and concepts throughout the entire generation. While it is unfair to generalize about an entire generation, the trends and social norms did lead to completely different attitudes and outlooks. The Book of Proverbs provides what can be considered universal wisdom. When compared to the principles outlined in the Book of Proverbs, millennials do seem to have diverged somewhat, which could create conflicts in their professional and interpersonal relationships. The three most important examples of how millennials measure up to the Book of Proverbs include their attitudes towards authority versus wisdom, their self-concept, and their sense of self-righteousness.
According to the 60 Minutes segment, millennials have difficulty respecting and trusting people who are thirty years of age or older. Not necessarily divergent from previous generations, the attitudes towards authority nevertheless will impact the millennials’ ability to conform to Biblical norms related to how wisdom is gained. The Book of Proverbs is clear on the wisdom inherent in heeding the advice of elders. “A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence,” (Proverbs 15:5). Similarly, millennials need to be more humble when receiving instruction, something that has been a known issue among this generation. The Book of Proverbs states, “Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded,” (13:13).
Millennials have trouble with authority because they have been coddled, according to the 60 Minutes segment. This means that they have not yet developed the level of discipline needed to thrive in the workplace. The Book of Proverbs is clear on the principle of discipline: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge but whoever hates correction is stupid,” (12:1). On this count, millennials could use additional instruction from the Bible. Millennials are in some ways “more hardworking” than previous generations and have an abundance of technical knowledge, according to 60 Minutes, but their knowledge is too often not tempered with humility or the acknowledgement that other people might know about higher level processes such as ethical principles.
Finally, millennials do have a sense of self-righteousness that might impede their ability to harmonize with elders. The belief is that millennials have “grown up with the expectation that they will automatically win, and they'll always be rewarded, even for just showing up," (60 Minutes). In fact, “whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,” (Proverbs 16:20). While millennials do have a lot of technical prowess and skills they can contribute to the workplace, their attitudes towards authority and a wisdom beyond themselves do not measure up well to the Book of Proverbs.
2. Is the Book of Proverbs wrong or outdated?
The Book of Proverbs is neither wrong nor outdated. There may be certain passages that seem anachronistic, understandably, but the wisdom contained therein is remarkably pertinent. The themes that prevail in the Book of Proverbs include being humble, allowing oneself to receive a higher wisdom from elders and from God, and avoiding greed, haste, and other behavioral problems. The very same advice that was offered thousands of years ago is still relevant today because human beings have changed little. Thus, even though the Book of Proverbs refers to an era in which Kings still ruled and horses still reigned on the battlefield, the bulk of the text is comprised with pithy sayings that continue to resonate: “Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse,” (Proverbs 28:6).
3. What is Right About the Book of Proverbs?
It is easier to point out what is wrong than what is right about the Book of Proverbs because the entire text contains timeless wisdom that can be applied to multiple cultures too. A key principle of the Book of Proverbs is the need to honor the mother and father. Even if the principle of honoring one’s mother and father is taken symbolically to refer to respecting one’s elders, the core of the Book remains true: keep the wisdom of the wise constitutes a “garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck,” (1:9). In other words, one should wear the wisdom of one’s elders constantly, making all decisions in life based on the tenets of truth like those contained in the Bible.
Another thing that is right about the Book of Proverbs is that through wisdom, one receives all one needs. Peace, prosperity, and happiness are not attained through the pursuit of material goods but through wisdom alone. Only wisdom can bring the higher level of happiness one truly seeks. Proverbs section 3 refers to the “peace and prosperity” that comes from wisdom, which in turn derives from trusting and submitting to the lord (Proverbs 3:1). Finally, the Book of Proverbs warns against folly and illusion: particularly that which comes from greed and the mistaken belief that riches bring happiness.
4. What is Right With Millennials?
In spite of the overall negative tone in the 60 Minutes episode and other media about millennials, this generation has many competencies and strengths that can contribute to the betterment of humanity. After all, these are the future leaders and they have built knowledge that can be transferred to many complex problem-solving situations. One of the main strengths of the Millennials is their embrace of technology and their seeking technological answers to the challenges that organizations face. Another key strength of millennials is that they were raised in cooperative learning environments. Taught to be team players, they are less self-centered potentially than previous generations and more used to making decisions collaboratively. This is one reason why their attitudes and behaviors might be misinterpreted to mean that they need approval or coddling; in fact, the millennials do not need reassurance as much as they are being respectful of and interested in the input given by others on their team. Theoretically, millennials are also raised to be less trusting of arbitrary authority, which coincides generally with American values.
5. What Should Be Done with Millennials, If Anything?
This is a difficult question, because nothing can be “done” with them. The question is more what millennials should “do” with the elder generations who have trouble adapting to generation gaps. Millennials are the leaders of the future, and are in some ways already asserting themselves as leaders in the workplace. Other generations need to be open to working with millennials, understanding that they were raised with different values and norms than their parents or grandparents. To work best with millennials, it might help to conform more to their concept of teamwork and self-empowerment. Millennials believe that rules are meant to be broken, perhaps because some rules do not reflect the values of the organization or the society. Learning to work with millennials rather than against them will promote social harmony.