Great leaders know something essential: you cannot—and should not—carry everything yourself. Leadership is not about doing all the work. It is about empowering the right people to do the right work at the right level. This is one of the many things I know I learned first hand in the military.

This principle is often called subsidiarity: the idea that decisions and responsibilities should be handled by the lowest capable level of leadership. It promotes ownership, flourishing, and healthier organizational life.

This wisdom appears clearly in the Old Testament. In Exodus 18, Moses is overwhelmed by the demands of leading Israel. He is trying to personally judge disputes, guide people, solve problems, and oversee an entire nation. Jethro, his father-in-law, watches and tells him plainly: “What you are doing is not good… You will wear yourself out” (Exod. 18:17–18).

Jethro’s counsel is practical and Spirit-led. Moses should appoint capable, trustworthy leaders to handle most matters while reserving only the most difficult issues for himself. In other words: delegate authority, develop leaders, distribute responsibility.

This moment reshapes Israel’s leadership structure. God does not call Moses to carry the entire nation—He calls him to build a leadership team.

In the New Testament, this same pattern reappears in Acts 6. As the church grows, practical needs increase. The apostles realize they cannot simultaneously preach, pray, teach, disciple, and oversee food distribution to widows. Instead of overextending themselves, they appoint Spirit-filled servants—deacons—to manage this essential ministry.

This wasn’t bureaucracy. It was biblical leadership. It protected the mission, empowered others, and strengthened the community.

Whether you lead a business, ministry, family, military unit, or crew, the principle is the same: you cannot carry everything. Trying to do so will drain you, limit others, and stunt the mission.

Subsidiarity means:

• trusting others with real responsibility
• developing leaders instead of micromanaging
• pushing authority down, not hoarding it at the top
• giving people room to grow, even if they make mistakes
• focusing your energy on what only you can do
• releasing control so others can flourish

Leaders often resist delegation because they fear loss of quality, loss of identity, or loss of control. But the cost of not delegating is far greater: resentment, burnout, stagnation, and disempowered teams.

Subsidiarity is ultimately an act of faith. It trusts that God equips the whole Body—not just one person—with gifts and abilities.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. He sent out the seventy, empowered the disciples, released authority, and allowed others to participate in the mission. He didn’t build followers—He built leaders.

Healthy leadership creates space for people to rise.

Challenge:

Identify one responsibility you’re carrying that someone else can—and should—share. Choose one person to empower this week, and take the first step to release that responsibility with trust.