Advise for the President (Or any other leader)

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, "How do you advise me to answer these people?" And they spoke to him, saying, "If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever."

1 Kings 12:6-7

A quick background:

Solomon, King of Israel, has died.  His son, Rehoboam, assumes the leadership of the nation.  The leaders of all twelve tribes approach the young man with a request:  “Your father laid heavy taxes upon us and forced us into labor while the temple and his palaces were being built.  Please lift that burden and make it lighter.”

Rehoboam turns to the advisors who had served his father and asks their advice and 1 Kings 12:6 -7 is their response.

Jesus gave us a picture of his kind of rulership when he told the disciples:

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:25-28

People will follow someone they believe holds their best interests at heart.  Any leader, whether it be a president or otherwise would do well to heed the advice given by Solomon’s counselors.  The best way to demonstrate leadership is through service to those one is leading.

Too many of the current slate of politicians have forgotten this important lesson.  Their major concerns these days are getting reelected so they posture to look good in the eyes of the people but tragically it doesn’t hold up once they are in office.

The test for the citizenry of this country in the upcoming election is whether or not they believe the people they are voting for will truly serve the best interests of the nation.  Many make claims but do those claims hold water?

We need servants not masters.

Ultimately when the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ appears that is what we will get.  “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.