This is part two of a four part series on leaders. What is the role of a leader? What makes a good leader? What are the warning signs that a leader is evil? What is our role toward leaders in authority over us?

I recently read a four book series by Charles Martin. The content is not important for the topic of leaders, but I wanted to share a compilation of quotes used throughout the series.

Bones: Tell me what you know about sheep.

Murph: They are the dumbest animals on the planet

Bones: And?

Murph: They tend to wander.

Bones: Why?

Murph: Because they can.

Bones: So they need?

Murph: A shepherd

Bones: What kind?

Murph: The kind who will leave the warmth of the fire and the safety of the flock to risk the cold, the rain, and sleepless nights to find the one.

Bones: Why?

Murph: They’re easy prey… they seldom find their way home... and because the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.

The above quote is a compilation of many conversations throughout the series, but put together it is a message that spoke volumes to me. A shepherd is a leader. A good shepherd watches over the flock making sure they are protected, fed, and in good health. A foolish shepherd is neglectful in his duties, causing the flock to be in danger, hungry, and sick. A good shepherd risks his life to save one lamb that is lost, in danger, injured, or sick. A shepherd who just shrugs it off as part of the cycle of life, is uncaring. A good shepherd focuses on the needs of the one, while the negligent shepherd focuses on the needs of the majority.

In part one, I talked about three roles of a leader: overseer, someone who holds promise, and someone who serves. In part two we will learn what characteristics, or behaviors, God considers a good leader to have.

First, a good leader is humble. Philippians 2:3-8 says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges, He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (NLT). “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor” (Proverbs 29:23 NLT).

The second sign of a good leader is one that is just. King Lemuel’s mother said this, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice” (Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT). When Moses gave instructions to the judges in Deuteronomy he said, “You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don’t be afraid of anyone’s anger, for the decision you make is God’s decision. Bring me any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them” (Deut. 1:16-17 NLT). Proverbs 29 says “A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it” (v. 4 NLT). “The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all” (v. 7 NLT). “If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever” (v. 14 NLT). “Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the Lord. The Righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly” (v. 26-27 NLT).

God wants a leader who lives according to the golden rule. Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets” (NLT). Luke expands on this command in chapter six verses 31-36 “Do to others as you would like them to do to you. If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much. And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (NLT).

Lastly, a good leader is selfless. King Solomon asked God to give him wisdom and knowledge in order to lead the people properly. God’s response was “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people – I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future” (2 Chronicles 1:11-12). Now Solomon may not be the best example of a great leader, because the wealth, riches, and fame God gave him caused him to sin, despite all the wisdom and knowledge he asked for. The point is that he wanted to be a good leader. King Solomon is an example of some leaders today who, when elected to office, have good intentions, but become corrupt due to wealth, riches, fame, and power. They go from being selfless to selfish. They change from being for the people to being for themselves.

Let’s recap what we have learned so far in this series on leaders. The role of a leader is to be an overseer, to hold promise, and to serve. A good leader is humble, just, treats others as he wants to be treated, and is selfless. In part three we’ll discuss God’s warning and judgement of evil leaders.

I want to end with this verse in Romans chapter 12 “…If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously…” (v. 8 NLT).

Until another day,

AC