Colin Powell once said, “Leadership is solving problems.  The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them.  They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care.  Either is failure of leadership” (Colin Powell, My American Journey, p. 50).

Great leaders in the Bible were busy helping others.  Consider: (1) Moses was so busy settling problems that he needed helpers (Exodus 18:12-ff).  The man who picked up sticks on the Sabbath was brought to Moses (Numbers 15:32-36).  The daughters of Zelophehad brought their concern before Moses, Eleazar and the leaders of Israel (Numbers 27:1-8).  (2) David was asked to solve a problem for a woman of Tekoa (2 Samuel 14:1-ff).  (3) Solomon solved a maternity dispute (1 Kings 3:16-ff).  (4) Ezra was brought the issue of intermarrying (Ezra 9-10).  (5) Esther was brought an existential problem by Mordecai. Haman had conspired destroy to Jews from Persia. Esther was in a position to help save the Jews (Esther 4). (6) Nehemiah was made aware of usury and dealt with it (Nehemiah 5).  (7) Jesus was brought many questions (e.g., Luke 11:1; Matthew 13:36, 17:19; 18:1; Mark 10:10) and many requests (e.g., Matthew 14:29-30; Luke 5:12; 18:38). He once performed a miracle on the way to a miracle (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-55). He was very busy. (8) Paul received a bad report from those of Chloe’s household concerning the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).  He was asked questions by the church at Corinth and Thessalonica (1 Corinthians 7:1 c.f. 7:10; 7:12; 7:25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1-2; 16:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 5:1). There were daily concerns (2 Corinthians 11:28).

Those who would be leaders in the church should expect to be busy helping others with their problems.  Consider: (1) James 5:20, “Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil” (See article: “Pray/Sing/Call” by B.H.).  (2) 1 Corinthians 6:5, “Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?”  This was shameful.  Someone among them should be able to resolve disputes.   Leaders solve problems.  If you are dealing with people, there will be problems.