Numbers 7:44-49: a reflection

44one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense; 45one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 46one male goat for a sin offering; 47and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 48On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, 49gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

This chapter records the offerings brought by the leaders of Israel's tribes at the dedication of the tabernacle, and here we see the leaders taking the lead in giving. Day by day, one leader after another brings his offering to the house of God. It was the leaders of the people who led the way in this giving, setting the example of generosity and devotion for the whole nation to follow.

Notice that it was the leaders who led in giving. They did not merely call on the people to give while giving little themselves; they went first, each bringing his own offering, setting the pattern of generous devotion. Those in positions of leadership led by their own example, doing themselves what they would have others do, giving generously to God and so setting the tone for the whole community.

That is a principle for anyone in a position of leadership or influence. It is easy to call on others to give, to serve, to be devoted, while doing little ourselves; but true leadership leads by example, going first, doing what we would have others do. The leaders of Israel led the way in giving; and those with any influence over others, as parents, leaders, or examples, are to lead by their own example, not merely by their words. If you have any leadership or influence, do not merely call others to generosity and devotion; lead the way by your own example, giving and serving generously yourself. People are moved more by example than by exhortation; lead, as the leaders of Israel led, by going first, doing yourself what you would call others to do.

Lord, at the dedication of the tabernacle, it was the leaders of the tribes who led the way in giving, each bringing his offering, setting the example of generosity and devotion for the whole nation. Teach me that principle for any position of leadership or influence I have. It is easy for me to call on others to give, to serve, to be devoted, while doing little myself; but true leadership leads by example, going first, doing what I would have others do. The leaders of Israel led the way in giving; and those with any influence over others, as parents, leaders, or examples, are to lead by their own example, not merely by their words. If I have any leadership or influence, keep me from merely calling others to generosity and devotion; help me lead the way by my own example, giving and serving generously myself. People are moved more by example than by exhortation; help me lead, as the leaders of Israel led, by going first, doing myself what I would call others to do. Make me an example, not merely a voice.