Feed the Ministers

Good leaders walk toward the conflict, the fire, or as we have seen recently in central Texas, the flood.

Feed the Ministers

"I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field. So I contended with the rulers, and said, 'Why is the house of God forsaken?' And I gathered them together and set them in their place. Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse."

(Nehemiah 13:10-12)

Good leaders walk toward the conflict, the fire, or as we have seen recently in central Texas, the flood. I think about the owner of Camp Mystic and how he gave his life rescuing girls in the flood waters.

"Camp Mystic director Richard 'Dick' Eastland died while attempting to rescue campers during catastrophic flooding that tore through parts of Central Texas. The Camp Mystic director died saving campers from Texas floods. Eastland, known for his decades of devotion to the Camp Mystic community along the Guadalupe River, was trying to reach campers affected by the rapidly rising waters when he lost his life, according to a column by Paige Sumner in the Kerrville Daily Times. Sumner is a former camper and longtime family friend of Eastland. 'It doesn't surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers,' Sumner wrote. 'He had already saved so many lives with the gift of Camp Mystic.'"

(Source: The Austin-American Statesman online.)

Nehemiah was faced with another challenge, and he did not evade or avoid it; he took it head on. The Levites were not receiving their rightful due from the tithes and offerings of the people. As a result, they had to leave the work in the Temple, the calling they had from God to serve in the Temple, to go back out in the field and work.

I love how Nehemiah says in verse 11 that he set them in their place! He was a strong leader and did not pull punches when the situation warranted it. He had a righteous indignation about him. He took action and then appointed people who were faithful (vs. 14) to do the job that was neglected.

John Maxwell says it is not what you expect that gets accomplished but what you inspect. This is true when dealing with people in whatever sphere, whether it is a church staff and volunteers, a business, a sports team, etc., the principle is the same. As the leader, you have to be present, give direction, and hold people accountable. If you cannot do that, you do not need to be leading.

Leaders lead and they bleed. You have to do the hard things; yes, you will offend people, but failure to act is unacceptable, and you end up offending those you cannot afford to offend–primarily, God!

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Podcast of the Week

The Titus Ten: Doctrine

In this seventh installment in his series on the Apostle Paul's letter to Titus and its application to us today (especially to men), Pastor Danny speaks on the critical importance of sound doctrine, not just for Gospel ministers, but for all Christian men especially.

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