DELEGATION – God’s answer for sharing the burden
February 21
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy Chapters 1-3
DELEGATION – God’s answer for sharing the burden
In Deut
1:9-18, Moses reiterates one of the most important decisions that he took early
on during the wilderness journey of the Israelites. Through the wise counsel of
his father-in-law Jethro (see Exodus 18:13-26), Moses quickly realized his
inability to bear the burden of all the people even though he was a mighty
leader with God’s power and abilities at his disposal. In his own words: "And I spoke to you at that time,
saying: 'I alone am not able to bear you…How can I alone bear your problems and
your burdens and your complaints? " (Deut 1:9, 12). So, he chose ‘wise,
understanding and knowledgeable men’
as leaders/officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens (vv. 13-15),
and instructed them to judge impartially over the matters brought to them (v.
17a). Moses only took those matters to judge that could not be adjudicated by
the officers under him (v. 17b). This is the pattern of judicial matters were
followed smoothly for the Israelites throughout the forty years of the
wilderness journey.
In the New
Testament - in Acts 6:1-6, we see
the same principle of delegation
working out in matters concerning food distribution in the first century
church. The Apostles rightly decided to concentrate on spiritual matters like
prayer and the ministry of the Word (vv. 2, 4). "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over
this business" (Acts 6:3). They then chose seven godly men (including
Stephen, who became the first Christian martyr), prayed with the laying on of
hands, and commissioned them for the ‘secular’ administrative tasks. Everyone
did their part in the ministry of the Church and no more complaints were heard
among the believers.
This principle of delegation is evident in the functioning of today’s church as well. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Eph 4:11-16). The great tasks of the church can only be effectively fulfilled if the leaders are willing to delegate the tasks among godly people who meet the biblical standards mentioned above. Let’s always remember that delegation is God’s answer for sharing the burden!
