The Generous Leader

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.”

Deuteronomy 15:7-8

If great leaders err, they do so on the side of generosity. They are givers, not takers. They feel motivated to:

1. Serve others-to help them grow and thrive.

2. Solve problems-that prevent potential from being reached.

3. Save causes-that benefit mankind.

God instructs His leaders and the entire nation of Israel to imitate His generosity and grace. At the end of every seventh year, every Israelite was to cancel all debts owed by fellow citizens. If they would indeed cancel debts, model graciousness and forgiveness, and care for the poor, God would favor their land with abundant crops and freedom from invasion. Imagine! They simply needed to trust that God was in control and let Him worry about rain and sun and fruitful harvest times.

Sunday Morning Lesson

Putting Christ Back In  2 Tim. 4:1-8

I. Christ Needs to Be put Back In The Position Of Authority

    a. Matt. 28:18

    b. Matt. 7:29

    c. John 7:46

    d. John 2:5

    e. Matt. 17:5

II. Put Back In As God’s Spokesman

    a. Heb. 1:1-2

    b. Matt. 17:5

III. As The Savior Of The World

    a. Matt. 1:21; Luke 2:11; 1 Tim. 1:15

    b. Acts 8:37; Acts 2:38

    c. Matt. 17:5; John 8:24; Acts 17:30

    d. Matt. 10:32; Mark 16:16

    e. 1 Cor. 15:58

IV. Back in The Church As Head

    a. Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18

    b. Eph. 5:23

V. Back In Our Homes

    a. Eph. 6:1-4

    b. Eph. 5:22-31

VI. We Need To Put Christ Back In Christians

    a. Phil. 3:16; Heb. 2:10

    b. Gal. 2:20; 2 Pet. 3:11

    c. 2 Cor. 3:2

VII. Put Christ Back In The Name We Wear

    a. Acts 11:26

    b. Acts 26:28

    c. 1 Pet. 4:16

VIII. Christ Needs To Be Put Back Into Our Preaching

    a. Acts 8:5, 12; Acts 8:35

    b. 1 Cor. 2:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:5

    c. 2 Tim. 4:1-4

Sunday Evening Lesson

Possessing the Mind of Christ  Philippians 2:5-8

I. Mind of Humility

    a. Phil. 2:5-8; Matt. 20:28

    b. Prov. 18:12; 1 Pet. 3:4; 1 Pet. 5:5-6

    c. Acts 20:19

II. Unselfish Mind

    a. 2 Cor. 8:9; Luke 14:33

    b. Rom. 15:3

    c. Acts 26:23

III. Mind of Tenderness and Love

    a. John 15:13; Eph. 5:1-2

    b. 1 Cor. 15:3; Eph. 5:25

IV. Mind to Work

    a. John 9:4; John 17:4

    b. John 20:30-31; John 21:25

    c. Neh. 4:6

    d. 1 Cor. 15:58

V. Forgiving Mind

    a. Luke 23:34

    b. 2 Cor. 2:7; Col. 3:13

VI. Mind of Unity – One Mind

    a. John 17:20-21

    b. 1 Cor. 1:10; Rom. 12:16; Phil. 4:2

    c. 1 Pet. 3:8; 1 Pet. 4:1

VII. Sacrificial Mind

    a. Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:9

    b. Heb. 7:27

    c. Rom. 12:1-2

VIII. An Obedient Mind

    a. Phil. 2:5-8

    b. Heb. 5:8-9

    c. Matt. 7:21

    d. Luke 6:46

    e. Rev. 22:14

A Part For Everyone

“But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” 

1 Samuel 30:23-24

When some “wicked and worthless men” suggested that those who stayed behind should receive none of the spoil. David resolved the conflict by declaring that since God had given them victory, even those who had protected the supplies had played a role and therefore should share equally in the plunder.

Clearly, David valued partnership. What did his act of partnership do for his leadership?

1. It helped others see the contribution of every man’s gift.

2. It reminded everyone that God was the true source of every good gift.

3. It promoted goodwill in potential allies.

4. It enabled David to prepare for the future and make friends all over Israel.

5. It developed a nationwide value of mutual benefit and good faith.