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Stewarding Authority
John TiltonDaniel 4:24-27 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore,Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
Daniel’s interpretation to Nebuchadnezzar of his dream was a clear warning of what was to come if Nebuchadnezzar did not do what was right as a leader, which included how he treated those, he ruled over. The King’s propensity toward wickedness that seemed to be based on pride would lead toward his downfall if he did not change his ways. In addition, his potential inability to heed warnings perhaps because of his pride would be a path to destruction.
The dream that Daniel interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar can also serve as an interpretation and lesson for leaders in general, that lack of stewardship in leading well with fairness and integrity as opposed to self and pride can often lead to loss of authority. Putting one’s self first will often cause decisions to be skewed because of self-gain rather then what’s best. Furthermore, a key principle of leadership is the ability to heed warnings and signs. Thus, my thinking is that leading well is based on stewarding one’s authority with the interest of mission statement and the benefit of others before one’s self gains and interests.
This is a great warning for me so as not to let my position, authority, successes and accomplishments skew my principles of leadership and authority. That indeed I am called to lead with the goal I have been assigned with in mind, being fair, having integrity and care for others.
Dear Lord, being granted leadership and authority is a gift from you. I pray that you will guide me to be a good steward of that gift; that I would assert my authority with humility in leading by example, fairness and care for others.
