Focusing Leaders

David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.

Here are some great leadership lessons. David uses a dispute among his followers as a chance to teach them and set their values, not just resolve the dispute. Foundational for him is humility. What they won came from the Lord, not from their own ability to defeat the enemy. Keep the proper perspective. And fight the human tendency toward rewarding according to our accomplishment. Instead, he emphasized that they were all enlisted in the same cause, and recognized that they brought varying kinds and levels of contribution according to their abilities, and should all be rewarded equally. Wow, a great partnership spirit!

Lord, give me that same kind of perspective that recognizes you as the source of my success rather than my own talent or hard work. Allow me to have that same kind of generous spirit to treat others according to their willingness rather than their talent. And give me the wisdom to be able to teach these values to others, especially when conflict or confusion arise.