As Paul was asking Philemon to accept Onesimus onto his team, Paul calls on Philemon as his “partner”. It’s interesting in business and at work that we use the word partnership quite a bit but how often do we really treat someone like a partner? Having a partner is like having an equal. Treating someone like a partner is treating them like you would treat yourself (why does that sound familiar). Yet when we talk about partnering at work what we really mean is that we are going to spend time with that person, work along side of them, ensure that they are getting the right support, etc., but when it really comes down to it, we are still out for ourselves and at the end of the day we want our agenda, our careers, our needs to be met over the other person’s. That is not true when in partnership. In the work world we are in today it is hard to create true partners unless the financial and career rewards are totally aligned and the same. Start up businesses can create the magic of partnership, but even law and accounting firms which are partnerships by definition end up being political, cut-throat and individual versus team-oriented. In the book of Philemon where Paul has asked a big favor of Philemon, Paul says to Philemon in verse 17; “So if you consider me your partner, give him the same welcome you would give me if I were coming.” Paul asks Philemon to act like a partner and then gives him the example of what a true partner would do; live out the actions as if they were being done to his partner or himself. Our jobs would be so much better if we truly approached others at work like they were our partners. If we trusted in them, honored them, took them into full consideration and shared in the successes totally with each other. For some reason, we stop short of that level of partnership. I don’t know this for sure, but it certainly appeared that Jesus had found 12 partners when he called his disciples. Each was on an even playing field with the others and as he lived they lived. There was no hierarchy or one-up-man ship. Jesus did not make success about Himself; he instead brought them in on everything and shared their talents with what the wanted to teach them for the future. We can take lessons from Paul and Jesus on how to have partners in our lives. On the job, we could use a true partner every now and then. Think about this today. Are you the partnering type? Could you be a true partner to someone else? Will you share? If you can become a true and real partner, then go for it and enjoy the closeness of another person who cares as much about you as they do the success or failure of the business. And can you be that true partner back? It is not easy, but it can be fulfilling and exciting for you. And who knows, those partners at work may learn more about you and ultimattely learn what it is about you that gives you the partnering spirit.

Reference: Philemon 1:17 (New Living Testament)