WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Exodus 18:1-27
Deuteronomy 1:12-17

“… ye shall not be afraid
of the face of man;
for the judgment is God’s …”

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN LEADERS

When Jethro (Moses’ father-in-law) came to visit Moses, he noticed Moses was overwhelmed with handling the people’s problems. So, he counselled Moses to focus on God’s ordinances and laws, and to select men to assist him with administrative matters. This group would help him bear the burdens so that he would not be worn out. Moses took Jethro’s advice and set up this judicial administration with able men. What were the qualities of the men to be selected? These are useful principles for today’s church when it comes to choosing leaders. These prnciples apply to leaders of homes too.

(1) Able men: It is not just about people wanting to serve. They must first be proven to be capable and efficient.

(2) God-fearing men: Talents can make a person proud. His pride will make him self-willed. He will not obey God but will do things his own way instead. A leader must fear God. If he fears God, he will make decisions that please God rather than men.

(3) Men of truth: Such men will seek to obey God’s truth. They will always do what is right in God’s eyes. They are not moved by friendships but are guided by God’s ways. Neither will they lie but are trustworthy. They do not play political games, are not double-tongued, but speak and deal truthfully, not deceptively.

(4) Hate covetousness: A leader must not serve for personal gain, nor be swayed by gifts and favours to become partial.

No matter how capable a leader is, he is still limited and needs to delegate, or else he will collapse one day. But finding leaders with the above qualities is not easy. Be such a person for the Lord’s work. If you are a leader, ensure you have all of the above qualities. Churches must not simply appoint leaders out of desperation and pragmatism. Pray and believe God will raise the right workers instead of appointing any without carefully ensuring they have these qualities.

THOUGHT: God defines the qualities necessary for God’s work.
PRAYER: LORD, help me to develop all these qualities and be useful.