He works (2) - 18 September 2014
Often our believing man's schedule is extremely full and he must learn to delegate. Moses's schedule was also very busy. His father-in-law gave him good advice that still applies today. See what the Bible says in Exodus 18: 13-26
The next day Moses was settling disputes among the people, and he was kept busy from morning till night. When Jethro saw everything that Moses had to do, he asked, “What is all this that you are doing for the people? Why are you doing this all alone, with people standing here from morning till night to consult you?”
Moses answered, “I must do this because the people come to me to learn God’s will. When two people have a dispute, they come to me, and I decide which one of them is right, and I tell them God’s commands and laws.”
Then Jethro said, “You are not doing it the right way. You will wear yourself out and these people as well. This is too much for you to do alone. Now let me give you some good advice, and God will be with you. It is right for you to represent the people before God and bring their disputes to him. You should teach them God’s commands and explain to them how they should live and what they should do. But in addition, you should choose some capable men and appoint them as leaders of the people: leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They must be God-fearing men who can be trusted and who cannot be bribed. Let them serve as judges for the people on a permanent basis. They can bring all the difficult cases to you, but they themselves can decide all the smaller disputes. That will make it easier for you, as they share your burden. If you do this, as God commands, you will not wear yourself out, and all these people can go home with their disputes settled.”
Moses took Jethro’s advice and chose capable men from among all the Israelites. Exodus 18:13-26
Even Paul experienced tension with his colleagues. Today, nothing had changed. There is often conflict at the office.
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit our brothers and sisters in every town where we preached the word of the Lord, and let us find out how they are getting on.” Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them, but Paul did not think it was right to take him, because he had not stayed with them to the end of their mission, but had turned back and left them in Pamphylia. There was a sharp argument, and they separated: Barnabas took Mark and sailed off for Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the care of the Lord’s grace. Acts 15:36-40
Do you still need to learn to delegate? Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and was able to successfully continue his work. Maybe you disagree with a colleague about how a task should be executed. Paul and Barnabas may have separated, but in the end, both did what they originally wanted to do - visit the believers in the cities where they had preached the Word of God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I praise and thank you that I do not have to rely on myself in the workplace today. Thank you for the lessons we learn from your Word, especially about work. Thank you that you are always with me. Amen