2 Samuel 6:2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. (NKJV).

David wanted to bring the ark of God back into Jerusalem. The right thing to do. But as we well know, the result of that particular effort was death. It was a tragedy. There was loss, hurt, pain, mourning, heart-ache.

2 Sameul 6:6-7 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. (NKJV).

It still happens today. People set out to do the right thing, but do it the wrong way, and lives are hurt and damaged as a result. Although they want to do the right thing, the “what”, they do it the wrong way, the “how”. This is a message for leaders but it applies to almost every area of life.

Is one more important that the other? Is it more important that the right thing is done, that leaders lead in the right direction, DO the right thing? Or, is it more important that things are done right, the WAY things are done…, is this more important?

BOTH are important! That’s the challenge, the responsibility of leadership. King David wanted to do the right thing, to bring back into Jerusalem the ark of God. Totally the right thing to do. No question about his motives, his heart and desire, his leading in the right direction. The “what” was the right thing to do. But how he went about it was wrong. The “how” resulted in pain and suffering. Someone died.

It is sad today that this is repeated all too often. We have the right motive, the right direction to lead, the right projects and programs, or we have some leadership issue that is the right thing to deal with. No question. Motives are right, the outcome is the right thing to want to achieve. But as we all know, when it is handled wrongly, people die. Maybe not physically, but they have emotionally and even spiritually. (Sobering note: For this pain, we leaders will have to give account, See Hebrews 13:17).

This is a passion of mine that the way things are done in Kingdom work is of such importance, that people’s lives can be won or lost by the way the “how” of ministry.

Thankfully, just a little further in 2 Samuel 6:12-15, we read how David set out to again do the right thing, the “what”, but this time he did it the right way, the “how”. In his case it was clearly the way the Priests should have carried the ark. (See Exodus 15:12-15, Numbers 3:30-31, 4:15, 7:9).

Now instead of death, mourning, hurt and pain, there was dancing, rejoicing, life, joy! What a contrast! Now I’m not naive enough to say that every leadership task will have those results; there are some issues that just don’t have a happy ending no matter how they are dealt with, such is the fact of human nature. But, I am a firm believer that when the right things are done the right way, with the right people, at the right time, then, with God’s blessings and His anointing the best results can be achieved.

We see another example of this principle in Acts 6:1-7. Here’s the right people, doing the right things, at the right time, in the right way! And we read how in this case the “the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith”. Surely this is what we want too.

In business terms we’re talking about the tension between Leadership and Management. Which is more important? Leadership’s job is to make sure the ladder is leaning up against the right wall. Management’s job is to make sure we’re able to climb up that ladder and do our job well. If management does their job well, but leadership hasn’t, then we’ll climb up the ladder very well, but find it against the wrong wall! If leadership does their job well, but management doesn’t, we’ll find it difficult or impossible to climb up the ladder even though it is leaning against the right wall.

I honour leaders everywhere faithfully serving those they lead, and doing their best to ensure the best results for their people. But this is my plea. Church leaders, business leaders, in families, homes, those who influence, everywhere! Lets seek God so that we do BOTH! The right thing – the “what”, and do those things the right way – the “how”.

King David learned a painful lesson. But second time around he used the right people to do the task. The Bible teaches us to use the various gifts He has given us, for the good of the body. Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, LET US USE THEM! (NKJV). (Emphasis mine). So let leaders lead, let managers manage, let administrators administrate, let teachers teach, let givers give, lets prophets prophecy, let encouragers encourage, let evangelists evangelise, let pastors pastor, let fathers father, let mothers mother! Trouble comes sometimes for example when managers try to lead, and leaders try to manage. There’s God’s grace in the short term, but let’s let those gifted do what they are gifted and anointed to do.

So, is the “what” or the “how” more important? Both are vital! In fact my personal belief is that people will follow a leader who is genuine and loving and caring toward them, who has demonstrated that their motives are right, that they truly love their people and want to best for them, even if he/she makes mistakes about overall direction, but they’re less tolerant of the pain and suffering caused by the way things are done when they’re wrong.

My prayer for you today, is that you’ll know the right things to do, you’ll hear from God about the direction to go, but also that you’ll know how to go there, and the doing of the “right thing” will be a blessing to your life and those around you.