Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.I Cor 4: 2 NIV
Charles B. Fleming [Vol. 4, 2007]

Imagine the government of your country trying to operate without some form of money. How would we buy and sell products and services; or get paid for our service to a company? That is why governments work so hard to uphold confidence in their currency.

In a similar fashion, trying to lead without credibility is like trying to run a modern economy without money. It frustrates everyone. In I Cor. 4: 2, Paul reminds us that an essential part of leadership is that we "prove faithful" or, in the words of the KJV, "be found faithful." Being "found faithful" means that others must find it to be true that we are dependable, reliable. The kind of leadership God is looking for depends, in part, on others choosing to accept our right to lead. It is not enough to point to our formal position of leadership ("I am manager, pastor…").

As Christian leaders, how do we increase the value of our "currency of credibility"? I suggest we look at three things:

• Our walk with God. Nothing increases people’s confidence in us as when they can sense that we spend time with God. Paul’s experience led him to this conclusion: God "always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him" (II Cor. 2: 14).
  
  As leaders we really have nothing of lasting value to offer people unless we are spending quality time with God. Our life needs to be built on the rhythm of daily, private times of prayer and Bible Study, coupled with an interactive conversation with God as we go through the day. Notice how David consulted with God on the details of his life (I Sam 30: 7; II Sam 2: 1; 5: 19, 23). No wonder he had so much credibility with the people he led!
  
  
• Understanding the nature of our calling. Before reminding us of the need to "be found faithful", Paul sets the stage by stressing that we are "mere servants of Christ" (I Cor. 4: 1 NLT). As God’s servants we serve best when we point people to the single greatest reality they need to know – God is with them and for them! When we focus on helping people realize how much God is with and for them, something strange happens. In our hearts we begin to be with and for them, too! God begins to transform our hearts and we begin to really love them. And they sense that! People trust and follow those they know care for them.
  
  
• Our commitment to self-discipline. Paul’s understanding of grace did not prevent him from becoming extremely self-disciplined (I Cor 9: 27). There is no effective leadership without self-discipline. How are you doing in this area? The one area of your lives I am most exposed to is the promises you make to send me e-mails. I am concerned by the ease with which some of you make promises to send me information and then do not. If that is anything to go by, then some of you may need to evaluate the commitments you make to the members. Do you over promise? Do you really keep those promises? Do you explain if not able to make a deadline? Remember it is victory in small areas that leads to success in the larger areas of life.

May the God who is with and for us, help us all to grow in these areas!