Motivational Gifts7 – the ruler

The aim of the devotional bible study is to grow in the understanding and appreciation of motivational gift of the ruler (or leader, administrator).

Scriptures

Nehemiah 2:8-20

8  And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.  9  Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.

10  But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.

11  So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12  Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13  I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14  Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15  Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned.

16  And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 17  Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18  And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

19  But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20  Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

Observations

Note: in the reading of today’s Text we will focus on the generous character and motives of Nehemiah to better understand the motivational gifts of the ruler / administrator. This is one of the seven motivational gifts (also called “the gifts of the Father” according to 1 Corinthians 12:4-6) that each person is born with which drives his/her actions throughout his/her life.

1. Ruler / administrator motivated people generally have the following characteristics. How can you identify them in these two events from Nehemiah?  Comment and give references from the Scripture above.
   1. They have the ability to assess the situation and visualize the whole
   2. Can clearly communicate ideas and organization.
   3. They are very determined individuals, not sensitive to criticism.
   4. They motivate workers with approval and correction.
2. From the text above, what aspect of Nehemiah’s leadership stands out most for you? What can you learn from? [hint: when you have some time read the book again from that perspective]

Reflections:

1. Looking at Nehemiah as an example of a ruler-motivated person – what should a person with this motivational gift take care to do well when taking initiative?
2. Considering the characteristics listed in Observation question 1 above, why do we consider ruler motivated people as “gifts from God the Father”? i.e. how do they benefit me, you and the world around us?

Application and Prayer

Note: If you have not completed the free online motivational gift test, do so now: www.gifttest.org

1. Are you a strong ruler motivated person? Considering this example of David:
   1. What are you grateful for about your gift, which you must cherish?
   2. What must you be cautious about in your interactions with others?
   3. Thank God for how he made you, and pray that he may grant you a sensitivity to the leading of His Spirit, gentleness and love when engaging people, creativity and wisdom in communicating the purpose and power to endure to the end.
2. Who do you know that are strongly ruler motivated?
   1. Thank them for their good influence in your life – for their bold initiative and perseverance to see a project through, and the ability to pull people together for a just cause.
   2. Thank God for them and their good influence in your life. Pray for these people by name that God will bless them with a sensitivity to the leading of His Spirit, gentleness and love when engaging people, creativity and wisdom in communicating the purpose and power to endure to the end.