In the job market, we hear terms like “business leaders,” “corporate executives,” and entrepreneurs when talking about people in positions of influence and authority. But how often do we hear people call themselves "servants" except when they are complaining?
The term "servant" can be seen as derogatory for someone seemingly less valuable. Some may even consider it on the same level as the word “slave.” But in fact, “servant leadership” is not only a legitimate term, but an empowering approach that can maximize performance at both the individual and organizational levels.
We can find numerous examples of senior leaders who have taken on servant leadership, realizing the gifts and talents of employees and team members, empowering them to use them to the best of their ability. But this requires a willingness to prioritize the needs and interests of others and provide them with the issues that matter to them.
The Bible says this in Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility let each other consider others better than yourselves. Not only should each one take care of himself, but each one also of others.” It is normal for people in positions of power to expect special privileges and deference because of their position, but as the passage states, it takes humility to put the interests of others before one's own.
Servant leadership is not limited to just senior management and people in leadership positions. An employee can lead by serving others, regardless of their status in the organization. As Ephesians 6:5-8 says: “Slaves, submit yourselves to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ, not with outward obsequiousness, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, serving with zeal, as the Lord, and not as men, knowing that each one will receive from the Lord according to the good he does. did it, whether slave or free."
The truth is, servant leadership rarely comes easy to any of us. As Manna for Monday co-author Ken Corkow noted, the desire to serve others in the business world is not without its drawbacks:
“You will know that you are a servant when you are treated like a servant. I want people to see me as a good servant of God. I want them to be impressed by my selfless devotion to the Lord and to others. But this is not a sign of a real servant!”
“A true servant is one who works in the shadows, not even in sight, never drawing attention to himself - simply knowing, anticipating and fulfilling the master's wishes. For believers in Jesus Christ, this means serving Him and the people He sends to us.”
In our desire to become servants of Jesus Christ in the job market, we must look to Him as our primary example. He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). If we consider that for Jesus to give His life was to die on a rough wooden cross to atone for the sins of mankind, we will understand what it truly means to be a servant. Even if it involves what we often call "the biggest sacrifice"
© 2023. Robert J. Tamasi wrote Market Ambassadors: The Continuing Legacy of CBMC Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at its Best: Timeless Proverbial Wisdom for Today's Workplace; "Finding Life with a Shepherd's Heart" co-authored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, co-authored with David A. Stoddard. Bob's bi-weekly blog: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Questions for reflection/discussion
NOTE. If you have a Bible and want to read more, consider the following passages: Philippians 1:1; Colossians 3:17,23-24; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; James 1:1-4; 1 Peter 2:18-21
