JUDGE RIGHTEOUSLY - Proverbs 31:9
Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
We are warned in James chapter 2 that we are not to be partial towards one who is rich because it is the poor who are rich in faith. How often do we find ourselves giving deference to one who is rich? We might claim to be impartial, but in reality, we seek the favor of those who are rich because of what they might be able to do for us.
Remember when the disciples attempted to turn away the little children from coming to Jesus. Jesus rebuked the disciples and encouraged the little children to come unto HIM. Jesus taught that we needed the faith of a little child in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus also taught us about the day of Judgment where God separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep are those who gave meat to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, shelter to the stranger, cloths to the naked, and visiting the sick and those in prison. Jesus goes on to teach that what we do unto the least of those around us, we do unto HIM.
When you are one in authority, you cannot afford to show favoritism to any one party. If you show favoritism to a certain person, there will actually be turmoil because all of those who are under you. When you have young children, you cannot show special attention to one child over another. Granted, you can punish one or reward a child who has behaved properly, but showing favoritism to one over another will result in quarrels between the children.
As a leader, you need to make sure that you do not start focusing on those who do not need your help. Remember, when Jesus came to this earth, he went to the sinners because they were the ones who needed to hear HIS message. John the Baptist was a popular man and he could have lived in a nice house. Instead, he chose to live in the wilderness where he boldly proclaimed the coming of the Messiah.
It is important that you learn who God is calling you to minister unto. The more time you spend rubbing shoulders with those who are not a part of your calling, the more likely you will be to show partiality to those individuals. It is very easy to be drawn to the rich and influential people; this is just one of the reasons why Bath-sheba warned Solomon to spend the time administering justice to the poor and needy. By keeping his focus on the poor and needy, and ensuring that he administered justice to them; then he would be in a position where his entire nation was at peace because he was taking care of the needs of all.
The focus of Solomon was not to be on the wealth that he could make or the friends that he could develop. Instead, the focus of Solomon was to be to ensure that justice was done in the land. With a focus that justice was being fulfilled in the land, the land was content and lived at peace because they knew that the one whom they were serving was fair and just and was not seeking to take advantage of them.
Do you understand how to interact with those who God brings into your life? Do you live your life as God desires you to live it and not show any partiality towards the rich and famous? The more time you spend adding knowledge of the ways of God to your life, the easier it will be for you to live your life in accordance with HIS principles. As you strive to lead the way God desires you to lead, your ministry will grow and God can bless you with great success.