In the midst of an incredibly huge decision recently I happened one morning to read 1 Kings 12. I love when God points me to the exact Scripture I need at the moment.
In this passage Rehoboam refused to listen to wise counsel and instead listened to the “wisdom of the day”. As you can read for yourself, his decision to ignore healthy advice cost him far more than he could afford to pay.
There are 5 principles I can learn or be reminded of from Rehoboam’s experience:
- Servant leadership is the model we need to follow and exhibit. (It was also the model of Jesus.)
- We need to make sure we are getting our wisdom from the right sources. Who are you listening to these days? (Read a similar post HERE.)
- Doing what is right may not always be popular, but it is right.
- The consequences for failure to follow wisdom are huge.
- There is natural wisdom that comes from age. (Read a similar post HERE.)
What other lessons do you get from this passage? Which of these do you need to read most?
Thank you for your response Ron 🙂
I’d be keen to read what you have to say in relation to Michelle’s question as well…
.-= Andrew´s last blog ..Leadership Lessons from a One Year Old =-.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the current push back against “leadership” in conservative evangelical circles. The usual comments are along the lines of “the language of leadership is not used in the Bible. it is a modern addition that is focussed on prestige and power for individuals”
.-= Michelle George´s last blog ..Shhhh…listen =-.
Michelle, you’ve give me something else to potentially blog about. Honestly I’m not familiar with this discussion about leadership in conservative evangelical circles. I actually thought I was in that group, but I’ve never heard that talk. I can say though, at first exposure, that I disagree with it. For one thing there were too many individuals in the Bible that I consider to have wonderful leadership qualities, such as David stepping forward against Goliath when no one else would. The actual fact about the “language of leadership” is that it wasn’t in our language period until the last couple centuries. It’s a fairly new term and body of study. That doesn’t make it against Biblical teaching. I don’t think student ministry or college ministry or multi site church are terms used in the Bible, but they are certainly a part of our Christian culture today and are ways that Kingdom growth occurs. I will have to research it more, however, but at first hearing of the issue I remain committed to the hopes of building leadership in the church.
Ron, how do you define ‘servant leadership’?
I ask becasue a current definition I’ve been given by a leader is that a true ‘servant leader’ doesnt need to ‘lead from the front’ in their church, they just need to let God lead and walk behind and ‘shepherd’ the flock…
that doesnt sit right with me, to me a godly leader needs to lead from the front by leading God’s people in God’s will but does this by being the first to get their hands ‘dirty’ getting stuck into the work at hand and working along side while leading…
what’s your definition?
.-= Andrew´s last blog ..Leadership Lessons from a One Year Old =-.
Andrew, I would have to think through a definition, and you may have triggered a thought for me I’d be willing to post about again soon, but I can easily say we are on the same page with our thinking towards a definition. I do not recall examples of leaders God used who didn’t lead. They were willing to go where no one else would and do what no one else would do. I totally agree with you Andrew.
I have used this passage in my upcoming book to talk about servant leadership. I think this is the first recorded instance of servant leadership in the Bible. Your points are spot on. I especially like “Doing what is right may not always be popular, but it is right.” We will be accountable as stewards for what God has given to us; even the decisions we make – He will ask us if we make right decisions for HIS assets, not ours.
Great post, Ron.
Thanks Bill. Look forward to hearing more about the book.
Brandon, I agree. Humbling!
It’s humbling, but I’ve learned to surround myself with godly, older men who have walked the path before me. This passage has a lot of meaning for me. Never think that youthful energy allows us to ignore aged wisdom. Awesome thoughts, Ron!
.-= Brandon Cox´s last blog ..How We Record Sermons for the Audio Podcast =-.