Classic KJV - Proverbs 28:16

The higher a person rises in leadership, the more he must learn to be financially content. Many have fallen from office because of financial corruption. True leadership is always difficult, but more so when tempted by opportunistic greed. And the higher one rises, the greater the opportunities. Many fall from office because of corruption. Unchecked, the lust for gain becomes bottomless, impossible to fill, and good leadership becomes impossible. A leader should NOT hunger for riches, but focus instead on empowering those under his care.

Translation: unjust gain

The Hebrew word for “unjust gain” or “covetousness” is בּצע (bĕ•ṣăʽ, pronounced “bě-tsa”); which is derived from the word plunder. bĕ•ṣăʽ is used in Psalm 10:3 as the “greedy man.” This could mean unjust or excessive gain, or merely excessive gain—more than is needed. Thus the KJV translation of this word as “covetousness,” implying wanting what belongs to another, is more restrictive than the Hebrew “unjust gain.” This unjust gain may be due to the efforts of eitehr the leader or those under his command. Thus a good ruler is tough on crime—weeding out corruption wherever he finds it. Note the  agricultural metaphor in Proverbs 20:26.

Lacking Security

Ironically, a leader may think that greater assets will mean greater stability. Not so! It’s the quality, not the quantity, of the resources that determines the leader’s staying power. Covetousness impairs leadership, whether profits are honest or dishonest. Greed is sin. Dishonesty is also sin, and all sin leads to death.

Higher Standards

Leadership brings higher responsibilities. Profiting personally on the backs of those whom the leaders should be serving and protecting is an abuse of power. This reveals why a church leader must be one who is “free from the love of money.” Perhaps that’s why the text uses the word hates rather than a softer word such as avoids.

Leadership Styles

In business management theory, the “X” management style denotes top-down, dictatorial bosses. This text implies that such managers lack real understanding. Some think the best leaders are independently wealthy, indifferent to profit, and ambitious to build healthy businesses—that are then profitable. Real leaders earn the trust of the people below them, so they’re free to report their problems and prospects, without fear of reprisal. For government, this means they must stay small, so they can solve real public needs—without crushing regulations and taxes.

Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep,” (John 10:11).

Rather than calling Himself the leader of the pack, with all his power, Jesus takes on the role of a servant for His followers. He is a leader who gives, and doesn’t take. When David becomes King of Israel and brings the Ark of the Covenant safely to Jerusalem, his first act is to bestow gifts on all the people—not taxes. (2 Samuel 6:18-19). Jesus the Messiah is called the son of David.

Good leaders are givers, not takers.