August 20                                       Isa 58 - 60

HONOURING SUBORDINATES

MEMORISE: 'Neither as being lords over God's heritage, But being examples to the flock.' (1 Pet 5:3)
READ: Numbers 27:18-23

Every word of God is pure. Today's passage instructs us on the need to have a good working relationship with the people entrusted to us by God. In order to advance his kingdom, leaders should get along well with the people in their care.

God instructed Moses to impart spiritual graces to Joshua by laying hands on him. He then proceeded to tell Moses to being Joshua before the priest and before all of Israel. Moses was to honour Joshua in public, so that those over whom Joshua was being appointed would obey him. A leader should support his subordinates and honour them in front of others, especially in front of the flock under that leader's care. If the leader fails to do this, the Lord's work will suffer.

There are leaders who constantly want to harm their subordinates, just as Saul sought David to kill him. Such leaders will disgrace their subordinates in order to elevate themselves. Leaders who humiliate members of their management or leadership team- especially in front of that person's subordinates- are very shortsighted. They may think they are establishing their superiority, but in reality they are only eroding their own power base, respect and honour. Such evil seeds will yield a painful harvest before long, and those leaders will regret their actions.

'Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock' (1 pet 5:3).

Don't allow what little power God gave you to go to your head. Some believers have changes completely since being made pastors. They have become semi-gods in their own eyes. They act irrationally and throw caution to the wind. Unfortunately, the same power that intoxicates them will eventually destroy them. You should watch very carefully how you treat those under you. They belong to God. Your duty is to lead by example. If you lead them astray, you will have the Chief Shepherd to contend with.

ACTION POINT
The people in your care today may become your equals or even your superiors in future. Treat them with respect and invest in them.