Should a leader try to get rich? (28:16)
A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
Beware of leadership just for the money. A profit-driven leader has poor leadership.
Unjust gain shortens a leader’s tenure, and maybe even his lifespan. This text does not imply that profits are wrong, or that being rich and powerful is wrong. But when power is driven by greed, then it’s time to leave. And unfortunately, such leaders usually won’t leave voluntarily.
He who has the gold makes the rules. If he makes the right rules he will enjoy his gold. If he makes the wong rules his leadership will be short.
The higher a person rises in leadership, the more he must learn to be financially content. Many have fallen from office because of financial corruption. True leadership is always difficult, but more so when tempted by opportunistic greed. And the higher one rises, the greater the opportunities. Many fall from office because of corruption. Unchecked, the lust for gain becomes bottomless, impossible to fill, and good leadership becomes impossible. A leader should NOT hunger for riches, but focus instead on empowering those under his care.
Translation: unjust gain
The Hebrew word for “unjust gain” or “covetousness” is בּצע (bĕ•ṣăʽ, pronounced “bě-tsa”); which is derived from the word plunder. bĕ•ṣăʽ is used in Psalm 10:3 as the “greedy man.” This could mean unjust or excessive gain, or merely excessive gain—more than is needed. Thus the KJV translation of this word as “covetousness,” implying wanting what belongs to another, is more restrictive than the Hebrew “unjust gain.” This unjust gain may be due to the efforts of eitehr the leader or those under his command. Thus a good ruler is tough on crime—weeding out corruption wherever he finds it. Note the agricultural metaphor in Proverbs 20:26.
Lacking Security
Ironically, a leader may think that greater assets will mean greater stability. Not so! It’s the quality, not the quantity, of the resources that determines the leader’s staying power. Covetousness impairs leadership, whether profits are honest or dishonest. Greed is sin. Dishonesty is also sin, and all sin leads to death.
Higher Standards
Leadership brings higher responsibilities. Profiting personally on the backs of those whom the leaders should be serving and protecting is an abuse of power. This reveals why a church leader must be one who is “free from the love of money.” Perhaps that’s why the text uses the word hates rather than a softer word such as avoids.
Leadership Styles
In business management theory, the “X” management style denotes top-down, dictatorial bosses. This text implies that such managers lack real understanding. Some think the best leaders are independently wealthy, indifferent to profit, and ambitious to build healthy businesses—that are then profitable. Real leaders earn the trust of the people below them, so they’re free to report their problems and prospects, without fear of reprisal. For government, this means they must stay small, so they can solve real public needs—without crushing regulations and taxes.
- Memorize the text in your favourite Bible translation and think about it often.
- Be sure it’s not for the money if you seek a position of leadership.
- Don’t get to the top by stepping on others. Justice and honesty are critical to lasting leadership.
- Pay others in the company more money than the president, but give the president the most honour.
- Check your motives carefully if you are a leader, and make sure that you are more motivated by giving than getting.
Which of these steps, if any, does Jesus want you to address first? Ask Him.
Beware of leadership just for the money. A profit-driven leader has poor leadership.
Unjust gain shortens a leader’s tenure, and maybe even his lifespan. This text does not imply that profits are wrong, or that being rich and powerful is wrong. But when power is driven by greed, then it’s time to leave. And unfortunately, such leaders usually won’t leave voluntarily.
He who has the gold makes the rules. If he makes the right rules he will enjoy his gold. If he makes the wong rules his leadership will be short.
The higher a person rises in leadership, the more he must learn to be financially content. Many have fallen from office because of financial corruption. True leadership is always difficult, but more so when tempted by opportunistic greed. And the higher one rises, the greater the opportunities. Many fall from office because of corruption. Unchecked, the lust for gain becomes bottomless, impossible to fill, and good leadership becomes impossible. A leader should NOT hunger for riches, but focus instead on empowering those under his care.
Translation: unjust gain
The Hebrew word for “unjust gain” or “covetousness” is בּצע (bĕ•ṣăʽ, pronounced “bě-tsa”); which is derived from the word plunder. bĕ•ṣăʽ is used in Psalm 10:3 as the “greedy man.” This could mean unjust or excessive gain, or merely excessive gain—more than is needed. Thus the KJV translation of this word as “covetousness,” implying wanting what belongs to another, is more restrictive than the Hebrew “unjust gain.” This unjust gain may be due to the efforts of eitehr the leader or those under his command. Thus a good ruler is tough on crime—weeding out corruption wherever he finds it. Note the agricultural metaphor in Proverbs 20:26.
Lacking Security
Ironically, a leader may think that greater assets will mean greater stability. Not so! It’s the quality, not the quantity, of the resources that determines the leader’s staying power. Covetousness impairs leadership, whether profits are honest or dishonest. Greed is sin. Dishonesty is also sin, and all sin leads to death.
Higher Standards
Leadership brings higher responsibilities. Profiting personally on the backs of those whom the leaders should be serving and protecting is an abuse of power. This reveals why a church leader must be one who is “free from the love of money.” Perhaps that’s why the text uses the word hates rather than a softer word such as avoids.
Leadership Styles
In business management theory, the “X” management style denotes top-down, dictatorial bosses. This text implies that such managers lack real understanding. Some think the best leaders are independently wealthy, indifferent to profit, and ambitious to build healthy businesses—that are then profitable. Real leaders earn the trust of the people below them, so they’re free to report their problems and prospects, without fear of reprisal. For government, this means they must stay small, so they can solve real public needs—without crushing regulations and taxes.