“Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” — Matthew 13:52
“Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.” — Ecclesiastes 9:8
INTRODUCTION
In the body of Christ, it is often said that ministers can be grouped into three categories:
- Those who are completely unaware of what God is doing in His Kingdom.
- Those who are aware but disconnected from His divine move.
- Those who are at the very forefront—on the cutting edge—of what God is doing in this end-time.
Beloved, if you truly desire to be a vessel God can use in this generation, especially in these last days, you must strive to become a resourceful leader. A healthy, thriving church or ministry needs spiritually equipped, visionary, and prepared leadership. One major reason many ministries today are stagnant, dry, and weak is because of spiritual emptiness and lack of depth in leadership.
Too many ministries are suffering because their leaders lack the spiritual tools and practical wisdom needed to carry the move of God forward. My prayer is that this teaching will awaken a hunger in you to begin the journey of becoming a resourceful and impactful leader.
A. DEFINITION AND BIBLICAL FOUNDATION
Key Texts: Nehemiah 1:1–4; 2:5; Matthew 13:52
Nehemiah was a powerful example of a resourceful servant-leader. He was not only prayerful but also strategic. He:
- Saw farther than others could see,
- Understood more than others understood,
- And discerned before others even noticed anything.
In Exodus 18:19–23, Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, gave him godly counsel to help him become a more efficient and resourceful leader. The Apostle Paul also demonstrated this trait—he declared the whole counsel of God and stood firm regardless of challenges (Acts 20:27; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23).
To be resourceful in ministry means to walk in:
- Spiritual creativity
- Initiative birthed by the Holy Spirit
- Divine insight and discernment
- Relevance in God’s present agenda
- Fresh anointing and timely solutions
It means being spiritually fresh, adaptable, and full of wisdom, ready to meet the needs of people through the Word, prayer, and divine strategy. A resourceful leader is a solution-bearer, a kingdom-minded strategist, and a fruitful vessel in the hand of God.
Without such depth, any work—even if it appears great on the outside—will eventually crumble. Sadly, some leaders look impressive from afar, but upon closer examination, are spiritually shallow and lacking substance.
B. THE NEED FOR A RESOURCEFUL LEADER
Key Texts: Ezekiel 22:30; Isaiah 6:8
In God’s Kingdom, leadership is not about position, title, seniority, or age—it is about:
- Spiritual fruitfulness
- Lasting impact
- Raising others and delegating effectively
- Mobilizing people around divine vision
To achieve this, resourcefulness is non-negotiable.
Here’s why the Church needs resourceful leaders more than ever before:
- Ministry today is far more demanding than it was in previous generations.
- Believers want to follow leaders who are spiritually ahead, not behind.
- To build something that lasts, you need depth and sustainability.
- Today’s problems require fresh anointing and creative strategies.
- People desire growing and Spirit-led leadership.
- Information is abundant—leaders must know how to harness it for Kingdom impact.
- Nobody wants to follow a dying vision; people want to be part of a thriving, winning move of God.
- God is still searching for vessels He can entrust with His divine assignment.
Unfortunately, when spiritual leaders fail to grow and become resourceful, carnal, worldly, or manipulative people can take over leadership positions. And then, the ministry begins to drift away from God’s will.
C. ENEMIES OF LEADERSHIP RESOURCEFULNESS
Many pastors and leaders fall short of their potential because they allow these enemies to attack their spiritual sharpness:
- Pride that refuses to learn
- Failure to develop oneself spiritually and mentally
- Overestimating oneself and refusing correction
- Neglecting the secret place—personal fellowship with God
- Overindulgence in food, entertainment, and leisure
- Loss of clear vision and spiritual focus
- Being entangled by worldly distractions
- Keeping company with unserious or destructive people
- Relying solely on gifts and manifestations, neglecting growth
- Settling for mediocrity and “just getting by”
A leader who allows these enemies to fester will experience a slow and painful decline in relevance and impact. Such leaders begin well but fade out quickly.
D. EXAMPLES OF UNRESOURCEFUL LEADERS
In the early days, many believed one Bible School training was enough for life. But today, ministry requires continuous learning and spiritual updating.
Consider these cautionary examples:
- John G. Lake was used mightily through signs and wonders, but the church he left behind couldn’t stand the test of time after his passing.
- A church with 5,000 members collapsed shortly after the sudden death of its leader, who didn’t prepare others to lead.
- A timid church leader handed over the ministry’s finances to political power-brokers out of fear—and lost both control and integrity.
- Some churches keep losing their brightest young ministers to other ministries because the leaders failed to update themselves and remain relevant.
Unresourceful leaders eventually lose:
- Their followers’ trust,
- The church’s confidence,
- And the divine oil of effectiveness.
i. When a leader runs out of fresh vision, progress halts.
ii. When dryness sets in, anointed co-laborers drift away.
iii. When leaders are outdated, they become unappealing to a forward-moving generation.
iv. When there’s nothing new, the church becomes stagnant and uninspiring.
Stale sermons, outdated programs, rigid methods, and shallow strategy are hallmarks of leaders who are no longer resourceful in the Spirit.
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E. THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A RESOURCEFUL LEADER
Key Text: 2 Peter 1:5–11
Becoming a truly resourceful leader is not a one-day event; it is a lifelong spiritual journey. It requires daily commitment and continuous hunger for growth in the Spirit and in leadership.
Here are biblical and practical steps to take:
- Cultivate a teachable spirit – There’s no height you can’t attain if you remain humble and ready to learn.
- Commit to daily self-development – Grow in wisdom, leadership skills, and spiritual gifts.
- Value godly information – Buy books, attend conferences, take courses, and apply knowledge.
- Stay close to God – Guard your secret place. A dry prayer altar leads to a dry ministry.
- Renew your anointing – Anointing can grow stale. Stay fresh by seeking God continually and avoiding sin.
- Surround yourself with visionaries – Walk with leaders who dream God-sized dreams and live with eternity in view.
- Invest in yourself spiritually and mentally – If you don’t, no one else will.
- Listen to and learn from others – You gain divine insight by drawing from other graced vessels.
- Pursue God passionately – Through extended prayer and fasting, receive fresh fire and divine strategies.
- Be proactive and solution-driven – Anticipate challenges and pray for divine wisdom ahead of time.
💡 The depth of your walk with God determines the depth of your impact.
No leader can build something that lasts without being divinely resourceful.
CONCLUSION
In these critical times, resourceful leadership is not optional—it is vital for lasting Kingdom impact. God is looking for leaders who are not only spiritually anointed but strategically prepared to carry His purposes on the earth.
- Will you answer that call?
- Will you pay the price to be a leader that heaven can depend on?
May the Holy Spirit empower you to become a resourceful vessel for God’s glory.