Emphasize Character over Competency
When the Lord sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse ’ s house to anoint Israel ’ s new king , Jesse proudly paraded his sons before him beginning with the oldest . While they were outwardly impressive , the Lord rejected them . Confused , Samuel asked Jesse if these were all his sons . The youngest was out with the sheep , but Jesse had discounted him . Samuel demanded they send for him , and once David came into the house , the Lord told Samuel , “ Arise , anoint him , for this is he ” ( 1 Samuel 16:12 ).
“ The Lord is not looking for workers who are merely competent . He ’ s looking for faithful servants .”
The Lord used this incident to teach Samuel ( and us ) a lesson : “… the LORD sees not as man sees : man looks at the outward appearance , but the LORD looks on the heart ” ( 1 Samuel 16:7 ). That ’ s the lure isn ’ t it ? We ’ re impressed by outward appearances , and that ’ s why we ’ re impressed with competency . We know a gifted communicator when we hear one . We ’ ll follow a leader who can articulate a compelling vision that outlines a clear direction forward . But we ignore character at our own peril . This is a lesson Israel learned repeatedly . As the kings , priests , and prophets went , so did the nation . Ultimately , unrighteous leaders led Israel into sin and exile ( Jeremiah 23 ). Sadly , this is a lesson we ’ re still learning today .
The Lord is not looking for workers who are merely competent . He ’ s looking for faithful servants . Read the pastoral epistles ( 1 & 2 Timothy , Titus ), and you ’ ll notice the biblical emphasis on character : “ an overseer must be above reproach ” ( 1 Timothy 3:2 ); “ Deacons likewise must be dignified ” ( 1 Timothy 3:8 ); “ women [ deacons ] likewise must be dignified ,”
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