Servant Leadership – The Humility to Share the Burden (365/262)
Do we sometimes make ourselves indispensable by carrying responsibilities that God never intended us to carry alone?
And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. (Exodus 18:20)
In Exodus 18, we read of Jethro’s advice to his son-in-law, Moses. He observed as Moses spent his days judging disputes and guiding the Israelites, with people waiting from morning until evening. Jethro recognised that Moses’ workload was unsustainable and advised him to delegate responsibilities to capable and trustworthy men. They could handle routine matters, while Moses focused on difficult cases and teaching God’s law to the people. The advice was specific and required discernment to implement. Moses was to appoint people who feared God, were trustworthy and hated dishonest gain (Exodus 18:21).
Good servant leadership is not simply about sharing the workload; it is about entrusting responsibility to people of character and helping them grow. The apostles in Acts 6 were careful to appoint men full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Jesus involved His disciples in ministry, teaching and equipping them to serve others (Luke 9:1–2; 10:1–2). He entrusted them with responsibility and prepared them to continue His work.
Pause and Ponder
Am I holding on to responsibilities that I could wisely share with others?
Do I trust others enough to give them meaningful opportunities to serve and grow?
What can I delegate this week so I can focus on what God has specifically entrusted to me?
May we too be willing to recognise our limitations, receive wise counsel and make room for others to contribute.
Lord Jesus, give me the humility to recognise my limitations and the wisdom to share responsibility. Amen.
Extended Reading: Exodus 18
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