June 12, 2009 Servant Leadership
Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10–11; Philippians 2
Scripture Focus:
1 Kings 12:13–14 Then the king (Rehoboam) answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!”
Philippians 2:3–4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:5–8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:19–22 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.
Philippians 2:29–30 Receive him (Epaphroditus) therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
Observation:
In these scriptures you see the heart character of four leaders. The first one, King Rehoboam, answered roughly, harshly, to the needs of the people he served. He saw himself as the top dog, deserving the best. He didn’t care how the people he ruled felt, and how they were burdened down.
The last three examples, Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, are examples of godly leadership, which is servant leadership. Servant leaders understand that their true role is to serve the people under them.
Application:
Servant leadership goes contrary to the norms of our culture and to the natural character of people. It takes a supernatural empowering to do leadership the Jesus way—giving up your own glory and comfort to help those under you.
Paul sums it up in Philippians 2:3–4: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
May this be the kind of leadership I choose.
Prayer:
Father God, as I lead my business and household today, may I truly exhibit servant leadership.
