Leaders, work diligently and communicate a clear vision to the people. You who teach/lead/manage, it is a great responsibility for us towards the people to use wisdom on their behalf – not a great honor so that we can oppress for our own benefit.
And if you are wise and lead effectively — by the example of your own hard work and by your not being blind to the needs of others — your honor will be in the lives of a team, even a family, of equals. As you have lifted up others, you will be lifted up. As you have crushed others, you will be crushed. As you have shown truth and love to others, it will be shown to you. Because kings and kingdoms rise and fall, but the poor will be with us until the end of the age.
And you who serve a master (and we all serve some master in this life) — do not give them an excuse to complain or grumble against you. Do not resist those in authority out of foolish pride, but submit yourselves to their clear vision and purpose — or if you believe they are truly blind, why do you even serve them? Do you foolishly serve them only for their money and not for any purpose of true profit? No, live a life of purpose.
LORD, forgive me for the times that I have failed those who are trusting me to work diligently and to have a clear vision. Create in me a sincere heart of purpose in everything that I do, and give me godly wisdom and vision to lift up and encourage those around me. Amen.
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. – Proverbs 14:23 ESV
Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. – Colossians 3:22-25 ESV
Harold J. Ballinger 