Grace and leadership

Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.

Grace is required for one to lead in ministry. We see here Joseph chosen by grace wherever he went. He was a leader at home even when he was the youngest at the time through the dreams he had. He saw things no one could see, and a leader is that kind of person. And all that was by the grace which was on his life. He went to Egypt, and the first person he worked for appointed him ruler over his household except his wife. When he was imprisoned, he was still appointed by the keeper of the prison to be the leader over fellow prisoners. That went in until he became prime minister over the whole of Egypt.

People cannot see the grace of leadership on you unless God has placed it on you. Remember, these were Egyptians, people who had no regard that there was a God in heaven. We cannot say they were spiritually discerning that there is a call of God upon Joseph. They simply appointed him to power. If people do not see the grace on you to lead, then you either have to force yourself onto those you lead or even buy their favour through gifts. The world system is to elect, but that's not God's way in church leadership. In the world, the loudest, most charming, friendliest and popular person wins. But to God, that's not it. Joseph didn't campaign or advertise himself on social media because there was none at the time, but he was chosen anyway. Even when he interpreted the chief butler and chief baker's dreams and asked them to tell the king about him, they forgot about it. But God didn't. What is interesting is that he didn't cause chaos or strikes like many do when they are not chosen or remembered but waiting on the Lord.

One time, our father in the Lord Bishop Gerald advised us to avoid what the world calls network marketing. There's nothing like that in church leadership or the ministry. You cannot network market yourself so that you get invitations to preach or opportunities to minister in various capacities. It's the gift of grace and the anointing on your life that will market you. An anointed man cannot be hidden. Joseph couldn't be hidden atleast. The anointing on you will put you at the top. God Himself will put you on top and not the hand of man and the results will be evident. You won't need a vote of the majority. You will simply get appointed because you have no competition since you are God's choice. 

The Bible says a city is blessed and happy when the righteous are in authority. That will be your story of the men under your authority. They will rejoice because they are seeing God at work in you and the results will be evident.  And like the saying goes, no one can argue with results. Some people blow their own horn without anything to show for it. But as for you, God's appointed vessel,  you will always have something to show in terms of results for the grace of leadership on you. 

Further scriptures 

Genesis 39:21-23 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that [were] in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer [of it]. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing [that was] under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and [that] which he did, the LORD made [it] to prosper.

Genesis 40:20-23 And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.