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The Path to Position
Deuteronomy 28:10
"And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee."
One of the mistakes I see in our society is giving position to someone who has never earned it. I like the phrase our military uses, "Earned, never given." Often I see pastors who give their children a position on their staff when their children have not earned the right to be on staff. You see company owners give their children a position when their children have done nothing to deserve a position. Government officials often grant position to people who have not earned the right to a position. Position is something that should be earned.
God shows us the path to position in Deuteronomy 28. He was talking to the nation of Israel in this passage when He showed them four things that were necessary for them to have position. These four steps on this path to position should not be ignored, but it should be something that is required for anyone to get a position.
The first step on the path to position is a command. In verse 8 it says, "The LORD shall command..." If someone wants position, then they first need to learn to listen to the commands of authority. If a person won't listen to the commands of those above them before they have a position, then they will ignore the commands of their superiors once they get a position. A person who will listen to a command is one whose heart is eager to learn.
The second step on the path to position is obedience. Verse 8 says, "...and in all that thou settest thine hand unto:..." Once a person hears the command, then obedience is required. Obedience is immediately doing what you have been told. When a person delays doing what they are being told, then they are being disobedient. When you are considering whether someone should be promoted to a position, then watch to see if they immediately obey what they are told to do. If there is any delay, don't give them a position because they have not earned it.
The third step on the path to position is the proving ground. Verse 9 says, "The LORD shall establish thee..." This was a time of testing to see if they would continue obeying without position. Here is where many people make a mistake in giving position. Too many people don't let a person prove that they are going to do right whether or not they get a position. Wait a period of time to see if someone will continue doing right before you grant them a position.
The final step on the path to position is the granting of a position. Verse 10 says, "And all people of the earth shall see..." Let me make this very clear, when a person is ready to be promoted to a position, then it will be clear to everyone. You won't have to persuade people they are ready, for their previous actions will have already proven to everyone that they deserve it.
If you are one who has the authority to grant position in some area, use these four steps to determine whether someone deserves it. If you are one who has no position, simply follow these four steps without a concern for position, and you will find that others will notice you and give you position.