The Art of Leadership
Good Leaders Follow the Example of Abraham Who was a successful person
Abraham was a person who knew God. The Lord spoke to him many times and answered his prayers. He was married and had children. He was very rich in cattle, silver and in gold. In our day, he probably would have had investments in banks, properties and in stocks.
It is a good thing to follow the father of faith. To do so, we must look closely at his life. What did Abraham do that made him such a great man? The Bible teaches that we should follow after people who have successfully inherited God’s promises. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12)
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Genesis 13:1-2
The Art of Following Abraham Is the Art of Obeying God
The first time we hear of Abraham, the Lord was giving him an instruction. God told him to leave his country and travel to a strange land. Abraham immediately obeyed the Lord. This first and great key of obedience is something you need to follow.
Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 12:1-3
Abraham also fought and won some battles in his lifetime. Finally, Abraham died at a good old age having seen the mercies of God throughout his life. Even when Jesus told the story of Lazarus and the rich man, He mentioned that Lazarus was taken to Abraham’s bosom. That meant that Abraham was still an important person even after his life on earth. Some people are only important in this life. In the next world, they become insignificant to society. They are banished to Hell to be punished for their sins. Not so with Abraham!
If Abraham were alive today, people would be asking him for an interview. People would want to ask Father Abraham, “How did you do it? What were the secrets of your success? How did you become so famous and prosperous?” You should also want to ask Father Abraham, “Why did God choose you and speak to you?”
Although we are not living in the days of Father Abraham, we have an account of his life and ministry. Instead of waiting for some false prophet to ask you for the teeth of a lion and the tail of a tiger as payment for his magic, let us learn and follow the secrets of Abraham’s success. By studying the Bible, we learn some of his secrets and principles.
Whenever Jesus wanted to train someone, He said to the person, “Follow me.” Observe the way Jesus invited Simon Peter, Andrew, Levi, Philip, James, John and many others to follow Him. Below are examples of Jesus asking people to follow:
- And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, FOLLOW ME, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:18-19
- And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, FOLLOW ME. And he arose and followed him.
Mark 2:14
- The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, FOLLOW ME.
John 1:43
- And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and HE CALLED THEM. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Matthew 4:21-22
If you obey God, it will bring blessings to your life. God told Abraham that He would bless him and that everybody who blessed him would also be blessed. God told Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him.
Notice that all the blessings of Abraham were on the condition that he obeyed God’s command. There are many people in the world, and God has a blessing for everyone. However, the key that makes the blessing manifest is obedience to God. Abraham took the decision of a lifetime. He decided to obey God to leave his kindred and his country and launch out. May we be followers of Abraham!
theaol@ymail.com
By Dag Heward-Mills