 “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matt. 6:26). God is deeply concerned with his creation, and in his immanence he provides for and sustains his creation.
This passage presents a very intriguing truth that really sets up a foundation for leadership. Jesus makes the point that even though animals—and in the subsequent verses he speaks about God’s care for plants as well—are lower than mankind God has a deep care and concern for them, a concern that is even greater when it comes to mankind.
In considering these things, any who would step into the leadership role must recognize that the initial charge to rule comes from God, and that it carries with it the command to look after the lower things in creation with great care. And if such solicitude is to be given to plants and animals, then, as Jesus himself said of the Father, much more consideration should be given to those persons under the leadership of an individual. Furthermore, those under the leader must hold said leader accountable to such a standard of nurture and care as presented in these passages.
 Unless otherwise noted all scripture references come from the English Standard Version of the Bible.
 Gregory A. Boyd and Paul R. Eddy, Across The Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology, 2nd ed (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009), 99.
 Ibid, 103.
 Ibid, 106.
 Victor Stanley Jr., “Saving Jaguars,” The Double Edge, accessed December 14, 2015, http://hebrews4.com/2014/10/28/jaguars/.