Ability and Character

Ex 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

In this passage we see Jethro, Moses father-in-law’s recommendation of delegating some of his responsibilities to men of ability and character. Some have contested whether Moses was listening to worldly advice from Jethro...but Deut 1:9-18 is God’s confirmation of Jethro’s advice to Moses. God is for delegation!

When comparing both passages we can see the requirements for choosing leaders.

In the Ex 18 passage we see...

1. “able men”
2. “such as fear God”
3. “men of truth”
4. “hating covetousness”

In the Deut 1 passage we also see...

1. “wise men”
2. “and understanding”
3. “known among your tribes”

From examination we can clearly see that one requirement was ‘ability’ and the rest relate to one’s character. Sometimes when churches are looking for a pastor they focus on the ability and/or preaching of the candidate and fail to consider the overall character of the man.

In 1Tim 3:1-7, Paul’s letter to pastor Timothy in Ephesus, Paul gives the requirements for ordaining  a bishop. Everything in this passage relates to one’s character...nothing is mentioned concerning his preaching abilities. (And I love good preaching!) In the last 37 years of ministry...I have heard a many dynamic preachers...their messages were sound, but with some, later found out about a serious flaw in their character which went unnoticed even though they were preaching up a storm.

In Paul’s list of requirement’s, notice....

7  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

One aspect of choosing leaders that is rarely ever considered is one’s testimony with the lost of the world! When was the last time you heard a pulpit committee call on some of the previous employers to see what kind of worker he was and what about doing a credit check to see his history of paying his bills. The requirement to find out his testimony among the lost is one of many requirements.

You see...some have focused on one’s ability and disregarded one’s character in some/all areas. The other error is to disregard one’s ability and to focus on one’s character. When choosing people in leadership positions...we must consider both ability and character. God expects both!

1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Paul’s testimony was that God “counted” him faithful. When considering men for leadership positions...we must strive to look at what God looks at and not be taken up with what impresses men. What God thinks is far more important than what man thinks and many times are worlds apart. Is 55:8,9

Bro. Ken Parrett

Joshua 1:8,9