How to Earn Respect
A Rick Warren Sermon Summary
We desire and need respect. A good name is more desirable than great wealth (Proverbs 22:1).
One way to earn respect is from handling conflicts appropriately. Let us learn from Nehemiah 5.
First, it lists four causes of conflicts:
Nehemiah chapter 5 lists five ways Nehemiah gained respect by resolving these conflicts:
Though Nehemiah was the governor, out of respect for God, he did not (a) eat or demand the food allotted to the governor; (b) place heavy burdens on the people he was governing; (c) allow his assistants to lord over the people; nor (d) take any land (Nehemiah 5:14-18). Instead, he was generous to the needy, putting the needs of others above his own. Every day, he provided food for 150 people because of their heavy burden (Nehemiah 5:17, Proverbs 29:23, Psalm 112:9).
Furthermore, Nehemiah set good examples. He and his men were devoted to building the wall (Nehemiah 5:16, Proverbs 14:22).
After we are dead, how will people remember us? Consider that and act accordingly (Proverbs 10:7).
To conclude, if you want to earn others’ respect, empathize, think before speaking, appeal to the good sides of others, be humble and generous particularly to those in needs, and set good examples.
Summarized from a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMpNGqau09Y starting from 17 minutes
One way to earn respect is from handling conflicts appropriately. Let us learn from Nehemiah 5.
First, it lists four causes of conflicts:
- Basic needs not met. Some Jews even lacked food (Nehemiah 5:2).
- Falling behind. Some mortgaged their essential assets for food (Nehemiah 5:3).
- Leaders insensitive to their followers. Some had to borrow to pay tax (Nehemiah 5:4).
- Feeling powerless. Some had to let their children be slaves for food (Nehemiah 5:5).
Nehemiah chapter 5 lists five ways Nehemiah gained respect by resolving these conflicts:
- Empathize. The above issues made Nehemiah very angry (Nehemiah 5:6). People do not care what we know until they know we care.
- Pause and think before speaking (Nehemiah 5:7). Be quick to listen but slow to speak (Proverbs 15:28, James 1:19-20).
- Resolve conflicts privately first. Nehemiah first talked directly to those causing the conflicts before addressing them publicly (Nehemiah 5:7-8, Matthew 18:15-17).
- Search for, appeal to, and bring out the good in others (Nehemiah 5:8-13, Proverbs 11:27). Do not label them badly, but appeal to the good they could do.
- Do things with humility and generosity (Nehemiah 5:14-19). Reject entitlement, and remain humble. We must not use our power to enrich ourselves at the expense of others.
Though Nehemiah was the governor, out of respect for God, he did not (a) eat or demand the food allotted to the governor; (b) place heavy burdens on the people he was governing; (c) allow his assistants to lord over the people; nor (d) take any land (Nehemiah 5:14-18). Instead, he was generous to the needy, putting the needs of others above his own. Every day, he provided food for 150 people because of their heavy burden (Nehemiah 5:17, Proverbs 29:23, Psalm 112:9).
Furthermore, Nehemiah set good examples. He and his men were devoted to building the wall (Nehemiah 5:16, Proverbs 14:22).
After we are dead, how will people remember us? Consider that and act accordingly (Proverbs 10:7).
To conclude, if you want to earn others’ respect, empathize, think before speaking, appeal to the good sides of others, be humble and generous particularly to those in needs, and set good examples.
Summarized from a sermon by Rick Warren:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMpNGqau09Y starting from 17 minutes