FOLLOW THE LEADERhappiness and contentment in life. Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul were
constantly calling people to that kind of other-oriented life-style. They
promoted the spiritual and physical needs of other people to the degree
that it called their followers out of being consumed with their own needs.
Neither Jesus nor Paul ever hesitated to promote legitimate needs – and
call others to involvement in those needs.
In the above verses we can clearly see that the Apostle Paul had learned
how to promote a worthy cause which was very near and dear to his
heart – collecting money for the needy saints in Jerusalem (Acts 11:29; 24:17;
Rom. 15:25-28, 31; I Cor. 16:1, etc). In doing this, Paul sent both letters
and people in advance of his coming to promote his cause. In asking for
money, Paul did so positively and unashamedly – because he knew he
was asking for a worthy cause. He was not asking money for himself,
but for others in need. He expressed to the Corinthian Christians about
his “confidence in them,” and about their “eagerness” to give. When
he talked about the size of their gift, he did not speak in small terms.
Since the need he was promoting was great he had high expectations for
them and communicated that! He wrote to them about their promised
“generous gift.” Paul knew how to promote a cause by building a positive
attitude and high expectation in the mind of the donor.
Without this ability to promote his cause, a leader will not be a good
motivator. If he does not have a positive mind-set about asking for
resources, he will not be able to build that attitude in others who have
the ability – and need – to give. If the leader is hesitant, tenuous, and
apologetic in promoting his cause, others will not be moved. If he is not
positive and passionate in his promotion, then other people will not be activated
- and resources will not be allocated. It is the leader’s promotion of a cause
that causes both human and financial resources to be galvanized into
action. Effective leaders must be able to positively and passionately promote
their purpose to others. Effective leaders are almost always very persuasive
people. It is only because they are fully persuaded in their own hearts that
they are able to fully persuade others. Without this gift of persuasion, they
would not have anyone believing in them...following them...supporting
them...giving to them – even sacrificing for them! Effective leaders have
an ability to enlist others in their cause. Through effective promotion,
they are able to co-opt others into their vision to the degree that their