Posted: 22 August 2024

From a sermon given on 18 August 2024:

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
( Exodus 18:21-22)

Delegation of authority means division of authority and powers downwards to the subordinate. Delegation provides a sense of responsibility, a chance to grow and exercise initiative to whom the authority is delegated and at the same time giving the leader more time to concentrate on more important activities in the organization....

When Jethro - Moses father-in-law visited Moses in the wilderness, he noted that Moses sat alone judging the Israelites from morning to evening. The work was too heavy for one person and soon both the judge and the people would be worn out.

The problem was not that Moses was unqualified but that the job was too enormous for one person. His energies were spent unwisely and justice delayed for many in Israel. Jethro advised Moses to delegate responsibilities to people who were capable, God fearing, trustworthy and who hated dishonest gains. Moses was to give oversight and leadership over those under him. He had to appoint men to be rulers of tens, fifty, hundreds and thousands.

Many leaders who do not exercise this principle suffer fatigue and burnout and eventually become less productive. You don't need to overburden yourself with responsibilities that can easily be performed by others. Learn to delegate.

Further Readings:

And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?.... I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me…. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
(Numbers 11:11, 14, 17)

And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:… How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
(Deuteronomy 1:9, 12)

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
(Acts 6:2-5)