Bible references: Acts 20:17-35; Isaiah 3:1-7 ; Isaiah 45:1-4; Nehemiah 5:14-19.
Introduction.
On Day Six of the PPFC, our leader Brother Theodore Andoseh continued to expound on our critical need for more leaders; this time focusing on the importance of resources for leadership responsibility.
The church is not founded upon meetings or gatherings. Rather, God ‘leaves’ [or plants] the brethren (converts) on people who then take on the responsibility for those people – as caretakers on God’s behalf. This demands resources to serve as effective caretakers. Simply put, Leadership is Resources; Leadership is Wealth because Responsibility requires Resources.
The Example of the Apostle Paul
In Acts Chapter 20, the Apostle Paul gives an account of his leadership; the manner in which he led and handled the church in Ephesus. He was personally committed to all those under his leadership. It was from house to house, with a commitment to care for each one while forgetting about his own problems.
He had many challenges and even enemies, but he concentrated on his ministry. He loved the brethren without being a burden to them. He loved them without possessing them, fully conscious of his role as a caretaker since the brethren belong to God.
The worst danger confronting the church is the presence of those who want personal disciples – those who will not care for anybody unless the person belongs to them. For such people, it is not enough that it is God’s church. Both God and Paul leave people on people – on LEADERS.
The Apostle’s Successors: The Presence of God and the Word of God
When it was time to leave the brethren, the church in Ephesus was not left in a building or on a list; it was left on people – on leaders, on elders, those who are responsible. The Apostle Paul told them what to do, what to use, and how to handle things. He handed over the church to leaders, and instructed them to care for the brethren like he did for them, including by providing for them, teaching them, and showing them the truth.
Both God and man leave those who have believed on people who are to be responsible for them. Paul did not leave them with nothing, he left them with the knowledge and Presence of God and the Word of God. With those, he gave them all the wealth they would need for their leadership.
Covetousness for ‘positions’ of leadership is a worldly thing that Satan has used to attack our ministry. It reveals that we have not known the Scriptures and so, worldliness torments us with ambitions, rivalries, jealousies, and such other manner of worldly behaviour in the church.
Leading God’s People
Leading God’s people calls for leaders who follow Jesus, and not those who are wolves looking for disciples to build their own identity and garner a following. The latter category take from the flock while true leaders give to the flock, not just money, but their lives, God, and the Word of God.
In the book, God, a man, and men, ZTF defines spiritual leadership for us: Leadership is founded on a life poured out for others. The Leader is like a cup of yoghurt; what the people need and are interested in is the yoghurt and not the cup. They are looking for the content. If you desire adoration because of your position, then you are in for a joke, and if you allow the compliments of the brethren to get into your head, then you are really sick.
The only thing you have is your walk with God; that is what will go with you into eternity. The rest – your spiritual gifts, talents, deeds, etc. – are for God’s purposes and for His people. So, do not joke with your walk with God!
The Need for Resources and Support
Leadership is Wealth! Being a leader is being the Provider, the Support, and the Supplier; it is not about dressing well or being honoured. It is responsibility – it is having the resources to handle your responsibilities.
People do not run away from positions, but they run away from leadership becomes it demands responsibility. If leadership were about positions, there would be many candidates.
The church needs resources and support. Resources include food and money. If you are ambitious to be a leader, make sure that you are also ambitious to carry the responsibilities that go with it.
If God makes you a leader, make sure He gives you riches/resources to handle the responsibilities of leadership. It is obvious then that leadership is not necessarily open to everybody because in God’s mind, leadership is resources. If God calls you to leadership, He will give you your victories and your hidden treasures, so that you can take care of His people.
Resources! Victories! Achievements!
Resources in Service of the People
Spiritual leadership is doing all for the people without expecting a salary, payment, or benefits. It is continuously making provisions available to the people while focusing on the goal. For Nehemiah, his people were like him in their consecration, and he took personal responsibility for supplying their needs – for 12 years without a salary or allowance. Leadership is Savings; Leadership is Resources.
Your leadership should cost you something. There is solitude in leadership because the buck stops with the Leader. Leadership is Responsibility! In the leadership that you carry, everybody else is just a helper, because, it is your job – your responsibility! It depends on you.
Responsibility Begins Early; Now
Responsibility does not begin with an appointment, and you don’t start taking responsibility only when you are old and gray. Responsibility starts early. You don’t become a leader because of an appointment or a title. God will give you more resources (spiritual gifts, money, food, etc.) if you are ready to give the little that you have now.
There is promotion everywhere for those who want it. Problems to solve are never lacking. Responsibilities are all over the place; there are so many – you can be a leader today! If leadership is being a parent and being responsible, then there are so many opportunities ahead of us (CMFI). For example, the sending forth of thousands of missionaries; the production of 10 billion revival tracts and 100 billion other tracts, etc.
If leadership is responsibility, then in CMFI, we need up to two million leaders on the spot right now. Welcome to Leadership !
- Pray that God will break the hand of the devil that has transformed leadership into the jealousy to replace (other) leaders.
Amen!
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