Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Proverbs 29:2 (NIV)
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Proverbs 29:2 (MSG)
When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.
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“When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice;
But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.” -AMPLIFIED
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” ~John Wesley
Once again we find Solomon addressing the role of leadership and the reaction the people have toward the righteous leader and the wicked leader.
“True leadership is servanthood. Put the interests of others at the center of your decisions.” ~Dave Ramsey
“When just leaders are in power, the citizens celebrate; but when evil people gain control, their joys become moans.” -(VOICE)
Solomon tells us that when good men/women are in leadership the people celebrate and rejoice. When the wicked are in control the people moan and groan. The difference between the two is in how they lead. Good leaders care about the welfare of those who are dependent on them. Bad leaders care only about themselves and no one else.
“With good men in authority, the people rejoice; but with the wicked in power, they groan.” -(TLB)
“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” ~John C. Maxwell
What does good, godly leadership look like? Let’s dig into the Word to find out what nuggets of treasure it has for us.
1.) A good leader has a servants spirit.
“But the greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be raised to honor.” -Matthew 23:11-12 (AMP)
2.) A good leader accepts God’s leadership.
“Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], and your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].” -Proverbs 16:3 (AMP)
3.) A good leader thinks of others before self.
“For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].” -Romans 12:3 (AMP)
4.) A good leader is just and fair.
“Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the afflicted and needy.” -Proverbs 31:9 (AMP)
5.) A good leader listens and accepts counsel.
“Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they are established and succeed.” -Proverbs 15:22(AMP)
6.) A good leader seeks to help others.
“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself.” -Galatians 6:2-3 (AMP)
7.) A good leader is humble.
“Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same [a]love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” -Philippians 2:1-4 (AMP)
8.) A good leader must be a person of integrity.
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich.” -Proverbs 28:6 (AMP)
9.) A good leader always does their best.
“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” -2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP)
10.) A good leader is slow to anger and will forgive.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.” -Ephesians 4:31-32 (AMP)
“The best leaders have a high Consideration Factor. They really care about their people” ~Brian Tracy
My friend, we all have places of leadership in our lives; whether in the home, the job, school, in church or elsewhere. We need to be using those places of leadership to let our lights shine for Jesus. Let us be demonstrating good, godly leadership skills and follow the example of Jesus Christ, our Servant King.
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” ~Jim Rohn
My Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I ask that you give me a heart of a good leader. Help me to follow the example of godly leadership that Jesus set as an example for me. Remind me always to have a servant’s heart toward those who are in my care. Lord, please cultivate and grow those leadership skills in me that can be used for your glory. Help me always to remember that I am to be a light shining for you in a dark, dark World. May I emulate Jesus.
Growing with God 