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9: Accountability for leaders (1 Samuel 25:26-34)

Scripture Reading1 Samuel 25:26-34

David had a long and difficult apprenticeship; his rivalry with Saul caused him to flee for his life, eluding Saul while leading a band of brigands in the wildernesses of Judah for ten years. As David’s power grew, he came into conflict with a rich landowner named Nabal.

David sent a delegation to ask Nabal to donate some lambs for a feast for David’s army. Not only did Nabal refuse to give David anything for the feast, he insulted David publicly. David immediately set out with 400 armed men to slay Nabal and kill every male in his household.

Thank God, Nabal’s wise-hearted wife Abigail stepped into the fray. David was moved by her words and abandoned his plan. He even thanked Abigail for diverting him from his recklessness.

People need to hold their leaders accountable as Abigail did, although doing so may come at the cost of great personal risk. You don’t have to have authority status to be called to exercise influence. But you do need courage, which fortunately is something you can receive from God at any time.

In what ways may God be calling you to exercise influence to hold people in positions of higher authority accountable? How can you cultivate a godly attitude of respect along with an unwavering commitment to telling the truth? What courage do you need from God to actually do it?

Prayer: Jesus, help me discern when I need to confront those in authority. Help me do it with courage and godly wisdom. Help me find the right words to say. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Abigail Defuses a Crisis Between David and Nabal (1 Samuel 25) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.


Author: Theology of Work Project

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© 2014 by the Theology of Work Project, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Don’t Take Your Job for Granted

Devotions/Partners

Image by mohamed Hassan / Pixabay . Used with Permission.

Job 38:4 (KJV): “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.”

COMMENTARY: When Job lost his children, possessions and health, he still faithfully trusted in God. However, during this ordeal, Job had moments of frustration when he questioned why God allowed these things to happen, wondered if God understood what was going on, and asked what God was going to do with the rest of his life. Job was reminded to keep his perspective straight. It’s not for the created being to question the wisdom, decisions and actions of the Creator.

APPLICATION: Do you work for someone who started the business from scratch? Be careful that you respect his or her role as the “creator” of the business. It takes an enormous amount of courage, vision, initiative, faith, time, energy and money to start and grow a business. At some time, your employer had the courage to create and invest in your job. Don’t take it for granted.

If you find yourself complaining about the owner’s management style, judgment, decisions, policies and priorities, ask yourself this question: “Where was I when the owner founded the business?  Do I understand what he or she went through to start and grow the business?” Who died and made you the boss?

Perhaps you need to lighten up. If you feel that your employer is blind to important issues, pray for him or her. Communicate your concerns and ideas in tactful, constructive ways. In the final analysis, however, you must give the owner the liberty to run the business as he or she sees fit. If you don’t think you can continue to work for this person, then by all means go. No job comes with a lifetime guarantee. You have the liberty to leave and try working somewhere else. 

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (KJV),read Leading and Serving (2 Corinthians 4) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.