Jump Start # 4112
Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
Our thoughts today surround the idea of leadership. Built into these contrasts of righteous and wicked and rejoicing and groaning is the impact and influence that hearts have upon others. Some may read into this passage American politics. Like the President, don’t like the President, times of rejoicing or times of groaning, good times, terrible times, I think there is a much better and spiritual direction that this passage points us to.
Think about the home: when a wicked parent rules, the children groan. And, such is our society these days. Selfish parents who neglect their kids or expect the school or church to raise them while they are off playing and having fun. The children grow and repeat to a worse degree what they saw growing up. There is no incentive to change or do better.
But when righteousness fills the home, what a wonderful experience the children witness. Growing up with prayers around the table, Bibles being read, worship as a regular part of their lives, and goodness and sharing running through their veins, hope, optimism and faith are the outcome.
Sometimes the quick fix to groaning is simply buying another toy. But that’s not the solution at all. With wickedness comes fear and that leads to the groaning. Toys won’t change that. What needs to be changed is the heart of the parents. It is amazing to see the contrast between poor children from India and American children. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen a group of children playing soccer with a ball that was made from duck tape and twine. The kids were laughing, running and having a blast. In contrast, American kids stare at electronic screens most of the day, isolated from each other and seem bored, lost and lonely. Closets stuffed full of clothes and toys, they need interaction with each other and with adults.
In our moving process, we’ve had a lot of boxes. A lot! The grandkids were over one day and they started playing with the boxes. That got me playing with them in the boxes. Best times. Laughter filled the air. Just plain ordinary boxes. Put in some imagination and those boxes become boats and they are tossed by the waves. Pretend there are sharks in the water and now they are battling in a struggle for life. Mom calls down that it’s time for dinner, and they don’t want to stop playing. It’s nothing special, just spending sometime with them on their level. But when all the parents are upstairs looking on their phones and they scream, “go play,” groaning takes place.
But, consider our passage through the lens of the church. One might reason that wicked people should not be leading, let alone in the church with that kind of heart, yet, many congregations are led by leaders who are indifferent to what is going on, out of touch and set in their ways. And, the people groan. Instead of being shepherds, the people view them as dictators who do not seem to care what the flock is experiencing.
The way through this is to encourage the leaders to connect and get to know the flock. Invite guest speakers who can help improve the situation. But, when the church has righteous leaders who care about the flock, that spirit will fill the air. There will be love and trust towards the leaders. Others will want to be leaders.
Ruled by righteous or ruled by wickedness. Leaders are responsible for the way and the direction that they take people. This is true in the home. This is true in the church. When God gave men the right to be the head, that does not mean dad gets to watch whatever he wants on the big TV. No. It means he is leading his family, his flock, towards God. The head is where the responsibility lies. After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God addressed Adam. He was the head. He was responsible. He failed.
Richteousness or wickedness—it’s a choice. One can change. It doesn’t have to stay bad.
Groaning or rejoicing—it’s a matter of how the leaders lead.
Roger