THE NEED FOR DELEGATION

Victor M. Eskew

 

            Moses was given a very heavy burden by God when he called him to deliver the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt (See Exo. 3:10).  He also carried a heavy burden as he led the children of Israel through the wilderness to the land of Canaan.  Little did he know that it would turn into a forty year ordeal.

            Moses took his responsibilities seriously as a leader.  One of the tasks that fell upon him was to judge the various grievances of the people.  In Exodus 18:13, we read:  “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people:  and the people stood by Moses from morning unto the evening.”  Any Israelite could have come to the judgment seat of Moses.  It appears that the line was very long.  Moses judged the people from morning unto the evening.  Can you imagine his doing this day in and day out?

            When Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law saw what Moses was doing, he confronted him about the matter, “and said, “What is this thing that thou doest to the people?  why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?” (Exo. 18:14).  Jethro was deeply concerned about what he was seeing.  He knew one man cannot do everything.  Moses explained:  “Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:  when they have a matter, they come unto me:  and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws (Exo. 18:15-16).”  Moses felt responsible as a leader.  He knew someone had to resolve the various matters among the people.  As the leader, he took the duty upon himself.  “And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good” (Exo. 18:17).  It was not the judging that was not good.  What was not goodas that Moses was trying to do it by himself.  Jethro explained:  “Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee:  for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it alone” (Exo. 18:18). 

            Jethro not only pointed out a problem, he also had a solution that he suggested.  He said:  “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee:  Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring causes unto God:  and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.  Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness:  and place as 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” (Exo. 18:19-22).  Jethro’s solution was delegation.  Moses needed to choose qualified men and give them the responsibility of judging the smaller matters.  Moses could still judge the great matters.  Jethro concluded his thoughts with how this would benefit both Moses and the people.  “If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace” (Exo. 18:23).  Fortunately, Moses understood and was not stubborn or power-hungry.  “So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he said” (Exo. 18:24).

            In addition to Moses, the Lord Jesus Christ practiced delegation.  He selected man known as apostles to be His ambassadors to assist in spreading the gospel throughout the world.  Paul also practiced delegation. He used men such as Luke, Timothy, and Titus to help him complete his mission to the Gentile world.  All of these individuals knew that one man cannot do all of the work.  Here’s a good question.  Why would one man want to try to do it all?  The individual may try to do it, but he will find that it is impossible to do.  Too, Jethro, Moses, Jesus, and Paul understood that when one man takes on too much work, he will wear away.  Both his physical and emotional well-being will suffer.  His home will suffer.  His relationships will suffer.  Even his spirituality may suffer.

            Some, however, have a huge problem delegating to others.  They are power-hungry.  They are control freaks.  They are micro-managers.  They have an ego.  They do not trust others.  They are selfish, wanting things done their way.  They cannot see the damage they are doing to themselves and others.  They do not care about others being able to use their talents in the Lord’s service.  Or, perhaps, they are just ignorant about the concept of delegation.

            Wise leaders delegate.  Let’s say that again.  Wise leaders delegate.  Some see it as a complete lack of control.  Not so.  Those delegated with a task are extremely qualified, talented individuals.  They are given specific responsibilities.  They are held accountable in carrying out their job.  They may not do everything just the way the top man would do it, but that is okay.  The differences are minor.  They do not really impact the end result.  The work gets done.  In fact, more work gets done.  Too, no one gets overburdened in the process.  All share the load.

            Not all can delegate.  These individuals do no really need to be leaders.  If they cannot delegate, they are really only leading themselves.  They are missing a vital teaching from God’s word.  They are hurting themselves.  They are hurting others.  They are causing damage to the body of Christ.  Perhaps they have good intentions.  Moses did.  But good intentions do not necessarily mean that the thing we are doing is good.  Remember, Jethro told Moses:  “The thing that thou doest is not good.”  Failing to share the burden is not good.  Delegate.  Let others help.  Free yourself to do the big things.  Take off the burden and stress of doing everything yourself.