Topic: Not For Personal Gains! [Tuesday June 6, 2017]
Text: Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Key Verse: “But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses… Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself “(Deuteronomy 17).
Going by the way leadership positions are sought after in most third world countries, it shows that there is more to the desire for leadership power than the mere sincere desire to provide true leadership for the people. In fact, governance in most countries is so attractive that most people go to great lengths just to seize power.
This fact is further buttressed when we observe what becomes of them soon after they get into power. Unfortunately, this trend is not limited to the world of politics, it has gained much entrance into the Church. Those with the privilege of leading others forget the purpose and meaning of leadership. In our text today. The Lord forewarned the nation of Israel of this tendency when the time for them to have an earthly king came. Israel was to be different in everything.
They were not supposed to be like the other nations around them or run their affairs like those nations. The earthly king that they were to choose under the directive of God was to be His surrogate on earth. He was to stand in for God and truly lead them as God would. Thus, he was not to seek personal aggrandisement or gains. He was not to use the privilege of leadership as a tool of oppression over God’s people. He was also to watch against leading the people back into Egypt and oppression.
He was to be guided by the word of God which was the constitution within which he would operate. By so doing, the people would be guaranteed the best form of leadership. If leadership anywhere – be it in the Church, family or nation – is to serve its full purpose for the benefit of the people, it must not be for the personal profit and selfish gain of the leaders. Leadership must move people forward towards God’s purpose and plan for them in the “Promised Land” and not backwards into sin and Egyptian captivity.
Thought for the day: Leadership has a divine origin that must not be compromised.
Bible Reading in one Year: John 16-18
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
