I read a book a little while back called, “why Smart People do Dumb things” by Mortimer Feinberg. The basic premise is that many very intelligent people, who are gifted with business sense, or political acumen, also possess a fatal flaw to which they are blind. Their wold comes crashing down when they do something incredibly stupid.  Feinberg traces these life-changing blunders to four reasons:

• Hubris. Pride to the point that you no longer feel shame, no longer believe that you are subject to public opinion, and no longer need to fear “the gods.” Examples: Gary Hart’s involvement with Donna Rice that ended his run for the presidency and the Dennis Kozlowski’s (Tyco) $2 million toga party.

• Arrogance. From the Latin word arrogare: “to claim for oneself.” Arrogant people believe they have claim to anything and everything they want–they are “entitled” to it. King David, for example, felt entitled to the wife (Bathsheba) of one of his soldiers. Modern day King Davids feel entitled to corporate jets and an entourage to tell them that their keynote speech rocked.

• Narcissism. Self absorption to the point that you are blind to reality. The world only exists to provide you gratification. Examples: Richard Nixon and Watergate; the Clintons and Whitewater—really just about every politician and CEO who falls from grace.

• Unconscious need to fail. If you think failing is hard, try winning. The questions that go through people’s minds when they they are on the doorstep of success are: Do I really deserve to win? Do I want the pressure of constantly having to win in the future? Can I really handle success? Perhaps this explains why professional athletes still take performance enhancement drugs even after watching their colleagues get busted.

Read more about the book at: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/09/why_smart_peopl.html#ixzz0iWi9hOLZ

So today’s reading is a powerful reminder that those the Lord places in leadership are to rid themselves of these qualities. The Numbers passage makes this provision: the Aaronic priesthood gets the best of what was offered. The best is to demonstrate the value of their position and ministry before the Lord, and that it was offered by the people removes them from a position of arrogance. They are dependent on the gifts of the people. Pretty cool to mix encouragement and privilege with humble dependence.

The Psalm today shows us that God will sometimes use external sources to keep us humble.  better that that Lord balance us than we tuble because of our own sin.

The John reading is the most obvious as Jesus tells his disciples to lead through service. That the posture of a good leader is stooping to serve.  I’m going to spend the day on that one.