Introduction

Good day to all. Let us delve into Exodus Chapter 18. The theme of this chapter is managing the household, managing God's people! You will discern many intriguing elements within the lines. Why do many not possess as profound an understanding of Moses as I do? Because I have confronted significant challenges. Almost none of the pastors I know are unafraid of their wives, claiming it is for domestic harmony, enabling them to serve God. This approach perplexes me, as the New Testament Scriptures elucidate clearly.

If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church? (1 Timothy 3:5)

Managing the household and managing God's people both engender considerable confusion, with even more confusion arising within the church. The pastors I am acquainted with are also managing God's people, but their methods are difficult for me to reconcile. Thus, let us discuss managing the household and managing God's people.

Once, I journeyed to a city where I met a pastor and his wife. Upon seeing me, this couple was moved to tears. They were not merely poor; they were establishing a church while being impoverished preachers, which is arduous. They recounted how they prepared dumplings for the church brethren, and one individual remarked, Pastor, what filling is this? It is so unpalatable! They then demanded dumplings filled with abalone and fish. The couple wept as they spoke, and I chuckled, saying, Such a thing is absurd! Is this what you call managing God's people?

We must ponder what constitutes managing a household and managing God's people. Managing the household and managing the church is a riddle! Though both employ the word manage, the interpretations diverge significantly. I once uttered a profound maxim: Indulging the flesh is not love, and compromise is not gentleness. We often employ carnal methods of management, which are antithetical to God. When have you ever witnessed me indulging your flesh? Certainly, if you travel a great distance, I will offer you a meal, as this is a fundamental principle of human interaction. However, if we meet daily, it is impossible to dine together every day.

Management is fascinating! If I were to manage you, I guarantee I would manage you into liberation, until the demons within you collapse, until those demons find me too formidable to play with. Why do I not directly address you? It is out of deference. But what role have you assumed? In truth, you have played a crucial role: you have allowed demons to manipulate you, and thus, you are being dealt with. Some may heed my style of speech, while others may not.

We manage God's people; we are not managed by God's people. Managing your household does not mean being managed by your wife. Have you ever witnessed a pastor being managed by his wife? That is equivalent to government from behind the curtain, vexing! A pastor once had his own high-end maxim: as he walked into the sea, he proclaimed, I will not divorce, I will not kill my wife; I will kill myself. Yet, he lacked the courage to commit suicide and returned halfway.

What constitutes managing your household, and what constitutes managing God's people? I possess my own interpretations. Many pastors proffer terrible advice, suggesting I simply compromise. Washing toilets and doing chores, I can compromise; I can do more, as I am efficient. However, serving God is non-negotiable. I was born with a divine calling, so how could I compromise? Preventing me from serving is impossible!

Recall when Moses departed from his father-in-law and journeyed to Egypt to liberate the Israelites, initially accompanied by his wife and children. Moses, however, did not record when he sent his wife away.

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, including how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. After Moses had sent his wife Zipporah back to her father, Jethro took her and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.” (Exodus 18:1-4)

Did Moses handle this matter elegantly? By the standards of many contemporary pastors, did he divorce her or not by sending her back? His wife and sons missed the most exciting events. When did Moses send them back? It must have been upon reaching Egypt, an addition of my own, as Zipporah came to live, not to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses was frequently summoned by Pharaoh, causing her constant anxiety, with no insurance purchased and no inheritance left. Moses faced the constant clamor of the Israelites outside, while his wife created a commotion at home, placing him in a dilemma.

Moses was nearly killed by God on the journey to Egypt, so upon arriving in Egypt, wouldn't he risk being killed again? Moses held the staff that could transform into a snake, a divine calling, responsibility, and authority, so he had no choice but to send his wife and children back to his father-in-law. Would contemporary pastors make such a choice? No, for contemporary pastors believe in wife happy, life happy.

Moses possessed quite the character! He was born with a divine calling to serve God and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Consequently, Moses had his two children escort their mother back. Why did neither son remain to work alongside Moses? They resented their father, as they were mama's boys who believed Moses mistreated their mother. From this perspective, could Moses manage his household? Many contemporary pastors would deem him incapable, but I believe he managed it well.

Do many truly believe after reading the New Testament? Jesus said, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” That is true management! The word “management” engenders much confusion, as some forsake the kingdom of God.

Brothers and sisters, are we qualified to judge Moses as incapable of managing his household? No! Yet, many claim he could not manage. In the Old Testament, Samuel, alongside Moses, is one of the two greatest prophets and priests. How dare we criticize? Moses managed three million Israelites; was he capable or not? Can one manage God’s church or people if one cannot manage their household? Even if he were incapable of managing, God would teach him how to manage.

Moses became a foreigner in a foreign land, and his wife had grown accustomed to dominance at home. Thus, Moses stifled for years, developing a stutter. Either you are managed, or you manage, but Moses became resolute! Some believe they are born to live for their wives and sons, which is troublesome. We must gradually realize that, in your life's journey, perhaps you have lived for decades as Moses did in his father-in-law's house, or perhaps you are like Moses' father-in-law, bringing his wife and children to see Moses, which is worlds apart.

Do you know what Moses was like at this time? How glorious was Moses in the eyes of the world! Jethro heard that Moses was managing three million Israelites, wielding immense power! Jethro was astonished. Without this astonishment, Moses' wife would not have returned. She previously looked down on Moses, but now her husband had become an official, the leader of the Israelites. The two sons, who previously resented their father, now changed their minds, thinking they might secure a position under their father, a band of snobs.

The main issue is management! Through management, God strengthened Moses' spine, enabling him to manage his household. Moses sat daily to judge the Israelites, lacking time to spend with his family. Later, Moses never mentioned his wife and sons from Genesis to Deuteronomy, as his family only spoke of worldly matters, making communication impossible. They sought from Moses things he could not provide, as Moses knew he was born for God.

I ask you, is sacrificing everything for a God greater than all gods management or mismanagement? If you were to manage a hundred million in the stock market, would you diminish it or increase it? How would you increase it? By investing in good stocks, buying low and selling high. Many among us lack management skills! If you managed well, you would not seek God.

Jethro said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to the people over whom the Egyptians acted arrogantly.” (Exodus 18:10-11)

This Jethro is remarkable! Though he was a priest of Midian, he knew that the Lord was greater than all other gods. To emerge alive from the hands of Pharaoh and lead three million Israelites out was no joke, truly remarkable! Thus, Moses' father-in-law confidently entrusted his daughter to Moses, thinking, I initially underestimated this son-in-law, but I was mistaken. Moses would not mistreat his wife, for he was not a tyrant at home. Those without ability excel at home, while those with ability excel externally. Jethro was relieved to entrust his daughter to such a man!

Managing God's People

The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. (Exodus 18:13)

It is not easy for Moses to manage three million of God's people! For example: today your cow bumped into my child; the day before yesterday your cow damaged my things; yesterday his dog stole my things; the washed clothes were stolen by someone, and so on. Is managing God's people just about managing these things? People were queuing up at the entrance of Moses' tent every day. His father-in-law saw that this was not going to work, so he said directly to Moses:

When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, they come to me and I judge between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” (Exodus 18:14-16)

**Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over them as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will share the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” (Exodus 18:17-23)

Moses listened to this and thought it was very good and wise! This matter is also very interesting. I have seen some pastors who assign all matters, big and small, to the chiefs of thousands, hundreds, or fifties. What do they do themselves? Stay at home to take care of their children, because the job of a pastor is very easy, working only two hours a week. Now, during the pandemic, they just need to speak online for two hours. In our church, it is impossible to calculate how many hours we actually work.

Similarly, appointing chiefs of thousands and hundreds, who also have families and careers, some are called management, and some are not. The word management has a deep meaning. Can you manage? Some people just don't know how to manage. While managing, the church is the same whether they are there or not; while managing, the church is about to collapse; while managing, it looks tiring! Sometimes, I really want to explain the word management clearly. Sometimes I wonder, is it called managing God's people just by appointing these chiefs of thousands, hundreds, and fifties? No! Some people just leave it alone after appointing them, thinking that someone is managing it anyway.

Some pastors become stupid after doing it for a long time, because they do nothing! They only hunt, fish, chat, drive sports cars, drink, etc. As far as I know, many pastors can't even make a PPT, and they have to find someone to do the weekly report. I am very surprised. They have already used their skills in speaking to others, is this called management? Is making dumplings for the members of the church called management? Can you just outsource it after appointing leaders in the church? Today I can say a boastful word to the brothers and sisters, our church is not like this! I am not boasting about myself, but hoping that all the brothers and sisters in our church can learn to manage well, and not be absentee landlords who know nothing.

People become stupid if they don't do things, and smart people will definitely not follow you. People with a little bit of intelligence will see that this pastor is so rotten, and following him is like running errands like a slave. Things should be divided into levels, let the chiefs of hundreds and tens handle those trivial matters, and you have to manage those important matters. The most basic work of the church is healing and deliverance. In our church, healing and deliverance is what I do best, and preaching is also what I do best. If you, as a pastor, can't do important or unimportant things, do you think you are raising pigs? It would be nice if pigs could manage people.

So brothers and sisters, no matter what, don't pursue vain fame, but pursue the responsibility of serving. Don't serve when you feel good, and not serve when you don't feel good. Management is a responsibility, and since God has entrusted us with it, we will manage what we should manage well. My most important job is to train leaders. If I can't do it myself, who am I going to train? If I am not good myself and don't like to learn, isn't that a fatal thing? If you are not good and don't learn, decades will pass in a flash, and you still love face.

I met a pastor, and I told him, Don't bring your leaders and members to see me, just come yourself. He asked me why? I said I am worried that your members will not leave after they come. To avoid trouble, don't bring them. He said it's okay! Later, he brought his leaders, the people who work for him, to do the weekly report, lead people to pray, and lead people to deliverance, all of which were done by these people, because he didn't have time, and he spent his time taking care of his grandchildren. What kind of pastor is this? I don't know. After a while, the leaders he brought became my members. What can I do if they don't leave? So he hated me to death. But I didn't do anything! I told him in advance not to bring his people. Our website is also public. I really didn't steal sheep, can you blame me if people don't leave? I am very touched!

I deeply know what management is, what it means to be responsible to God, that is, to serve with responsibility. I wish that the brothers and sisters and leaders at all levels among us can understand that the God we serve is greater than all gods, you can't play with God! I deeply know that I can't mess around with God, just like showing off with a big knife in front of Guan Gong. Serve when you feel good, and serve the same when you don't feel good. According to the likes of my flesh, I am full of resentment; but according to the responsibility and destiny, I must kill the things in my flesh.

Thank God, while I am serving, I see how my flesh comes back to life, and then I constantly deal with it. I distribute food on time according to God's word, feeding God's people. Whether it is tiring or not, this responsibility has been entrusted to us. Brothers and sisters, this is a responsibility, not a feeling, I never walk according to feelings.

A girl told me that she had no feelings for her husband, but she had feelings for a post-90s entrepreneur. Later, she divorced, and her heart beat for the post-90s entrepreneur's every move, but after confessing to him, she found out that he was not serious, wasn't that upsetting? It's good when you have feelings, and it's not good when you don't have feelings, that's not management, management is a responsibility.

Moses must appoint chiefs of thousands and hundreds, and train a large number of church leaders who can take on responsibilities, and choose those who fear God, are trustworthy and hate unjust wealth. This is what Moses' father-in-law Jethro said. Jethro was a priest of a Gentile, a person who served idols, but he had such wisdom, beyond our imagination. If Moses looked down on his father-in-law,嫌弃him for being an idol-worshiping priest, and didn't want him to interrupt, wouldn't that be stupid? As a manager, don't look at people with colored glasses, listen to what they say is right, and seek when they say is wrong. Even those who worship other idols know that our Jehovah God is greater than all gods, how can the priest of God mess around?

Brothers and sisters, don't despise knowledge. Such as 1+1=2, the Pythagorean theorem, these mathematical concepts do not have spiritual attributes, they do not belong to the devil, nor do they belong to God, they are just knowledge. Knowledge is for people to use, I am worried that everyone is becoming stupid as Christians! Brothers and sisters, from today onwards, everyone should start from small things and do well. If you are under the chief of ten, do well in the things under the chief of ten; in the future, if you become the chief of ten or the chief of fifty, you must do well.

You must have knowledge, and never despise knowledge and wisdom! If a person never reads any books in his life, and only knows the Bible, then he is stupid, knows nothing, and even doesn't understand the Bible! Management is a subject, project management, human resource management, and financial management are all called management, and it is impossible to manage well if you have not learned any of them well. As soon as I say this, many people go to study human resource management, I ask if they have read the Bible, and they tell me they don't have time, because I asked them to study human resource management, they have all listened to the wrong thing!

What I mean is that a person cannot only read one book, the Bible, in his life. For example, if you only read one book, the Bible, and build a bridge, and the bridge collapses later, because building a bridge requires the knowledge of building a bridge, how can you build a bridge without learning the knowledge of building a bridge? You are still justified, saying that those are the small studies of the world, isn't that nonsense?

Moses learned all the knowledge of Egypt before serving God, and Jesus was a carpenter in Nazareth before he came out to serve. When did you see Jesus serving, and someone came with a chair and questioned Jesus how badly he made it, so that it collapsed when he sat on it. Fortunately, the Bible does not record this, otherwise we would also make a chair that can collapse. A lot of management is related to knowledge, I don't think these things are worldly.

If you open the Bible and look carefully, the elementary principles that Paul said refers to the Pharisees keeping days, months, festivals, years, and circumcision, when did you see that the tents woven by Paul could not be sold? The quality of the tents woven by Paul must be very good.

So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. (Exodus 18:24-25)

Moses really relaxed a lot after appointing these leaders according to what his father-in-law said. Not only did he save time, but also a large group of people were raised up to become leaders who managed God's people. This is called building a team. If you are a manager, first: you must be able to manage things and judge cases; second: you must be able to manage people, inspire people to serve God, inspire people to study hard, and inspire people to continue to grow. Training leaders is a key element for sustainable development.

So brothers and sisters, we must all begin to desire to serve this God who is greater than all gods, and give up everything to serve. Not only can we pray in tongues, but we must also be clear about the word of God in the truth of God. Not only that, but also be able to do things, be able to be a good person, and then also be able to manage things and manage people.

Management is definitely not managing in ignorance, whether it is managing things or managing people, it must be based on the truth revealed by God, and based on the knowledge, wisdom and intelligence that God has given us. So brothers and sisters, from now on, first, learn to do things; second, learn to be a good person, be able to speak, and be able to build relationships with people. Don't let others turn around and run away as soon as you speak. It is a fatal thing if you don't know how to be a good person. If you know how to be a good person and be able to do things, you won't mess things up. It would be great if you can manage people and manage things.

Summary: Management is the Accumulation of Knowledge

God's will for us is to be fruitful and multiply and govern the earth, and God's will for us is to flourish and prosper. If you know this, then you will definitely become a very good manager. Be a good manager in business or at home, we need to remove the myths about management in us. False harmony is not harmony, and many times a stronger relationship needs to be built through conflict.

We are currently doing pastoral training, and how to do pastoral care needs to be learned. Someone came to Singapore, and I treated him to 200 yuan worth of durian. His ancestors were emperors. He said, I will leave you a sentence, and it will definitely be worth your 200 yuan of durian. I said, Okay, otherwise my 200 yuan will be wasted? He said that our ancestors had a saying: If the ruler is busy and the ministers are idle, the country will perish; if the ruler is idle and the ministers are busy, the country will prosper. After listening to it, I understood that this is the knowledge of managing the emperor.

As you all know, I am usually not too busy, I am only busy with a few things, one of which is training leaders. People are busy means they must have done something wrong, of course, some are not busy and also do something wrong, it is useless to fish all day long. I encourage everyone to strive for continuous growth, be used by God, be able to become managers, and manage the people of God. Be a blessing to many people, and obtain God's destiny. What a grace it should be in life, and you will surely live a life as wonderful as God!

May God bless everyone!