We live in such a competitive culture. Our entertainment is filled with
sports, reality shows, “Biggest Losers”, best Chefs, Survivors, and on and on…
It’s part of our nature to be
competitive. Where does that come from? I believe it comes from our
natural desire to be first. That desire compels us to be competitive. And, it’s
often expressed in our tendency to be comparative.
We’re constantly measuring ourselves against others, or others against
ourselves. Because “I” want to be first, I scan the environment around me to
compare how everyone else is doing. If they’re not doing so well, I feel pretty
good about myself. If they’re all doing better, I either push harder to be
better, or I give up and find another group to compare myself with.
The Bible describes this as “self-ish-ness;
we’re self-centered. We constantly get fooled seeing the “grass” that always
looks greener on the other side of the street and we’re often dissatisfied with
how it’s going with us. Why? Perhaps it’s the way we were raised; or the way
we’re raising our children.
The mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus to ask if He could do her a
favor. After all, it’s “Who you know”, isn’t it? She wanted her two sons to be
seated on Jesus’ left and right hand in His Kingdom. Surely her two sons would
have it made if only they could achieve that high position of honor and power.
Now, she wasn’t a bad mother and they weren’t bad sons. However, they
misunderstood how things work in God’s Kingdom (both in Heaven and on Earth).
Jesus shares two important points with her. First, He tells her that there
is a cost associated with our position in the Kingdom. This is what He meant
when He asked, “Are you able to drink from the cup I am about to drink…” ? Oh yes,
there is a price to pay to be in the “highest” position in God’s Kingdom.
Secondly, He said that those positions were reserved for the ones the Father
has prepared them. He further explained that the Kingdom basically didn’t work
that way. The Kingdom of God doesn’t work in the same way things work in the
“world.” Hard work, striving for political influence; hobnobbing with the right
crowd; being seen with the right people in the right place, at the right time;
and on and on… This may be how things work in the corporate jungle, but not the
Kingdom. Yet, there are those who try to operate within the Kingdom the way
they do in the world. This attitude and behavior have a corruptible impact on
the Kingdom and the Community of Faith.
No, to be great in the Kingdom requires that we become the servant of
others – THE SERVANT OF EVERYONE ELSE. Servants are often overlooked,
under-recognized, over-worked and under-appreciated. In the world, that’s
enough to quit. But, in the Kingdom, that makes for PROMOTION! To where will
you be promoted? The position that God the Father has already designated for
you. He already has it reserved for you.
Will that be at the top or at the bottom? Here’s a secret, aim for the bottom!
I wonder if Zebedee’s sons were still interested in becoming the greatest.
No, they just concentrated on SERVING. They left the ‘greatness’ to the Father.
So, will you serve if there’s nothing in it for you now? Will you labor though
there is no recognition; no plaque with your name on it? Will you give even if
there will never be a pew with your family’s name on it? These questions test
all of us.
Beloved, let’s serve the Lord and be the “unprofitable” servants we are. At
the end of the day we will say, “Lord, we have only done that which was our duty
to do.” Eternity’s morning will tell who the ‘greatest’ among us were while we
were serving at the bottom here on earth. There is no competition in the
Kingdom, just servants. The Great One is the Lord, Jesus Christ – and that’s
all that really matters.
What is Servant Leadership?
Servant Leadership is a concept and a practice that all Christians should
implement.
In all human history, the best example of Servant Leadership is that of
Jesus Christ. He had been with the Father from eternity. He had awesome glory,
power and majesty. As the "Word" or Spokesman for the Father, it was
His voice that said, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). At the very
throne of God, He was surrounded by indescribable beauty and majesty. Over 100
million angels were there, worshiping and praising Him and the Father
(Revelation 5:11-12).
Yet, since the Word and the Father had decided to bring millions of human
beings into their Family, this great Being was willing to "empty"
Himself—as the Greek word is correctly translated in Philippians. He took the
"form of a servant." Then, "being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross" (Philippians 2:7-8).
In the human flesh, Jesus "gave" of Himself all day long. He
lovingly and patiently taught, He healed, He blessed, He encouraged, He served.
Jesus had very clearly taught His disciples by His example, "Whoever
desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires
to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many"
(Matthew 20:26-28).
In all our activities, the emphasis must be on serving—not on pleasing the
self or exalting the self or seeking a bigger "position." All of us
must constantly humble the self through God's Spirit, and try to be sure that
we are genuinely motivated by a spirit of service in whatever we do. If we have
to take a lower position for a time-as even the Son of God did—in order to
better serve, let us graciously do this and thank God for the opportunity.
God is testing the attitudes of every one of us! He wants to know if we are
truly learning the lessons of Servant Leadership. Are we willing to take the
"lowest seat" if that works out better and helps us serve more? Are
we constantly thinking about how we can best use our talents, our time and our
resources to better serve others and to prepare for the Kingdom of God?
John, the beloved Apostle, tells us, "By this we know love, because He
laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren" (1 John 3:16). Let us truly be motivated by a spirit of giving,
helping, serving and encouraging one another. Then, without doubt, we will be
granted entrance into our Father's everlasting Kingdom which will be totally
based on that spirit of love, kindness, patience, service and profound joy.
Lord, help me have a servant’s heart---a heart like Jesus!
Biblical Principles in Network Marketing
As a Pastor, Bill Nissen was against Network Marketing for years. In 2003, a friend helped
him see a new perspective. He still dislikes the ethics of many who do it, but he sees a
biblical perspective that allows him to not only support network marketing, but embrace it as
a way to serve people. Watch This Video. It is longer than most (20 minutes) but carries essential information.
