Leading God's People

Moses' father-in-law Jethro had some interesting counsel for Moses with respect to himself and to appointment of leaders under him and over the people.

Look at what he had to say in Exodus 18:19f.:

Be before God for the people. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. Moreover you shall select from all the people men that are capable, revere God, are trustworthy, hate people being greedy for gain; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

With respect to Moses Jethro said he should:

1) Be before God for the people (be in prayer)
2) Teach them God's statues and laws (teach God's Word)
3) Show them God's way and God's work (teach by example)

With respect to appointed leadership, Jethro said to select capable men that:

1) Revere God
2) are trustworthy
3) that hate being driven by personal gain

It doesn't surprise me that respecting or revering God would be number one. And it doesn't surprise me that trustworthiness would be number two. But isn't number three interesting? Jethro not only said they should be men that aren't covetous. He said they should be men that HATE covetousness. Men that are personally offended or disgusted by it. Is it that you really can't really serve self-lessly unless you literally despise the thought of serving out of personal gain?

Let me know your thoughts on this.
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.