Leadership Promises - Self-Promotion...Self-Destruction

"Then Ambimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother's brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, 'Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem: ' Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one reign over you?' Remember that I am your own flesh and bone'."   Judges 9:1-2.

Leadership Promises - Self-Promotion...Self-Destruction.

At first glance, Abimelech might seem like an ideal candidate for leadership. A gifted communicator and skilled tactician, he set his heart on becoming the ruler of his people. He had a passion to lead. But passion does not mean fitness.

After the death of his father, Gideon, ambitious Abimelech kept his eye on the leadership of Israel, but he never sought God's view of his career choice. He employed "worthless and reckless men" to enforce his will. And as a leader, he murdered seventy potential competitors. In the end, the self-promoting power-seeker and his cronies all died under the terrifying frown of God.

Self-promotion may "work" in the short run, but over the long haul God makes sure that it fails. Godly leaders must remind themselves of the Lord's instruction: "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:6).
Excerpt from The Maxwell Leadership Bible.
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