The Daily Word: Sunday, October 15th, 2017
Jeremiah 26:1-27:22
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
Psalm 85:1-13
Proverbs 25:16
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. – 2 Thess 3:10
Good leaders lead by example. They never ask the people they lead to do things they aren’t willing to do themselves.
Jesus was the best Leader of all. When He asks us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Matt 16:24), we easily say yes. Jesus already laid down His life and took up His cross to die for our sins. Jesus led by example, so that we could follow in His footsteps.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy did the same thing. Their central message in today’s text is, nobody in the church gets a free pass. All of us are called to labor – albeit from a place of rest – to expand the Kingdom of God. “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat “(2 Thess 3:10). Paul had no problem saying that, because he led by example:
“…nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.” – 2 Thess 3:8-9
Are you ready to lead by example? When you manage people at work, do you delegate tasks and walk away? Or do you roll up your sleeves and lead by example? When you invite your children to fall in love with the word of God, do you hand them their kids’ Bible and walk away? Or do you read them your favorite verses and invest in their education?
Leading by example is the only form of leadership that lasts.
Prayer:
Father, help me to lead by example. Show me how to practice what I preach! Make me a humble servant who is willing to lay down his life for the people You want to reach, in Jesus’ name.
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
See commentary from this day in 2015.
See commentary from this day in 2016.
© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.