HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 198
page A196
Leadership continued
all by yourself. . . . Select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and
hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders.” (See note on page 69.)
A good leader learns to delegate.
• PR O V E R B S 1 2 :1 5 | Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
Good leaders have others who hold them accountable.
Why does a leader’s character matter?
• E Z E K I E L 1 8 :5 -9 | “Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right.
. . . He does not commit adultery . . . is a merciful creditor . . . does not rob the poor but
instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. He . . . stays away
from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others, and faithfully obeys my decrees
and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the
Sovereign Lord.”
People may argue that leaders’ personal lives do not really matter as long as they do their
work well. God, however, does not make a distinction between your public and private life.
Justice, righteousness, integrity, mercy, honesty, fairness, and faithfulness are essential traits
of a leader’s character because they reflect who a person really is. They demonstrate that
the person understands what is truly important in life—loving, honoring, and respecting God
and others.
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• 1 C O R I NT H I A NS 4 :5 | So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before
the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private
motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
HelpFinder
Sometimes leaders are tempted to believe that they are exempt from the standards to
which all others are subjected. They may abuse their privileges as leader. But whatever is
hidden will eventually be revealed.
How should I respond to the leaders in my life?
• 1 T H E S S A L O NI A NS 5 :12-1 3 | Honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. . . .
Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.
• E X O DU S 1 7 :1 2 -1 3 | Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them
up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of
Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua
overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
Encourage them. Those who lead can become discouraged. Show your support not only
by what you say to them but also by how you serve them.
• H E B R E W S 1 3 :1 8 -1 9 | Pray for us. . . . And especially pray that I will be able to come back
to you soon.
Pray for them. Leaders need people interceding on their behalf. Perhaps the best way to
support your leaders is to pray for God’s care and protection over them.
• R O MA NS 1 4 :1 0 | So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on
another believer?
Don’t be quick to criticize. If you think a leader has done something wrong, confront him
privately; don’t be hasty to ruin his reputation. In seeking to ruin someone’s reputation, you
are only solidifying your own reputation as a gossip and slanderer.
• 2 S A MU E L 1 2 :7 -9 | Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of
Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. . . . And if
that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you
despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah
the Hittite . . . and stolen his wife.
Hold them accountable. Leaders need the support and advice of others. Everyone makes
mistakes, and leaders need trusted friends and advisors to help them avoid costly mistakes and maintain a lifestyle of integrity.