“Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders…to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites…and with them the priests. So they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them. They sent throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.”
2 Chronicles 17: 7–9
Jehoshaphat was wise king in utilizing those whom God had raised up to teach the people God’s ways. He was a mobilizer and helped to get the Word to the people so that the Kingdom of Judah would continue to prosper. For he knew that if the people were not taught the Word of God they would soon be influenced by the pagan nations around them and eventually fall as a nation under the judgment of God.
A wise leader will not attempt to do all the teaching and training himself, but he will release others whom God is raising up as spiritual leaders. A good leader will train and release others to do the work of the ministry. Notice that Jehoshaphat did not gather all the people to himself. He did not attempt to single-handedly do what needed to be done. He delegated. This shows a humble heart but also wisdom, for the Word of God and Kingdom will have far greater reach if a leader recognizes whom God has anointed to teach and releases them to go.
Why do so many men of God choose to draw people only to themselves? Why do they centralize and dominate the ministry God has given them? Perhaps it is pride and ambition with an underlying need to be someone important. Perhaps is the need to control everyone and everything due to an underlying fear of corruption or heresy. Perhaps it has to do with the love of money—the more people, the more money and resources available for the good life. It would be more beneficial to all if leaders would let go of the power and the need to control in order to equip and train others the way Jehoshaphat did, the way Jesus and Paul did. To let go is to let God and provide greater expansion for the kingdom of heaven. Release your tight grip as a leader and see what God can do.
You must let go of your need to be important—something every man struggles with. What practical steps can you take to “let go” and send more people to do the work of the ministry?
