Being an election year, there are many men and women vying for the vote of the people. Those running for public office will tell you that they are best qualified for the job and will be the best leader for the position they seek.
Yet, what are the qualifications for leadership? The wisest person in the universe states that the one who can adequately manage his own home, evidenced by the obedience of his children, is the best qualified for leadership.
Those best qualified to lead others will always be fathers that strive to manage their homes in such a way as to give glory to God - a man who loves his wife, in the same way Jesus demonstrated to the church, and requires the obedience of his children in a spirit of love and gentleness.
Married men with families are the backbone of any society. Studies have shown that marriage protects and promotes the well-being of children, sustains civil society and promotes the common good, and is a wealth-creating institution, increasing human and social capital. A married man understands, at least to some degree, his responsibility to provide for the family and will make it his ambition to remain productive. He must spend for the needs of his family, he is concerned about the children getting a good education, he cares that his property is well maintained, and he is more sensitive to lawlessness and corruption, wanting to protect his family from negative influences. Economic and spiritual growth depends upon this bedrock. Could you imagine the state of a nation of only single men? I can – pure pandemonium! A man with a family is a tempered man – he must attain to some level of self control and responsibility. And those who do well at this are then qualified to lead others.
I hesitate to vote for a young man who has yet to face such challenges as life affords. A young man may learn many things with his mind but there is no way to fast forward the insight that is gained from experience. It is the wisdom of God that the young must need learn from the old. It is an "elder" that is best equipped to lead others. And not only an elder, but one that has retained the respect and obedience of his children.
A caring father desires obedience in his children not so much for his sake, but for theirs. Disobedience has consequences that we generally seek to avoid. Obedience is linked to rewards that people really do want. If a man takes time to require obedience in his children then he is more likely to care for the needs of others and will adhere to the guiding principles of the office to which he attains. Whatever creed you salute, all roads eventually lead to the one true Lawgiver. Hence, every man is accountable to God.
How do you find such men? Chances are; men of this nature will not readily present themselves to serve in the political arena. They will not toot their own whistle. Men of this caliber must be sought out and encouraged to lead in their communities. If we want qualified leadership, fatherhood is the place to start. Fathers, let us strive to be such men.
