Issue #164, September 16, 2015
Some years after Daniel’s first interpretation of a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, the king’s son, Belshazzar, also needed a wise man to tell him the meaning of a hand which had appeared on his wall and written a message.The king calls Daniel to interpret the message. “Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means” (Daniel 5:1-17). Daniel’s answer reveals a lot about his heart and motives. The king offered Daniel rewards that would powerfully motivate most leaders. But Daniel, as a servant leader, had different motives and told the king to keep his gifts. The gifts he refused showed three areas that did not motive him to lead.
Daniel was not motivated by power.
The king offered to cloth Daniel in purple, the color of royalty, a symbol of the power wielded by the king. The offer of power and authority motivates many leaders and stirs in all of us a universal urge to be in control.
Servant leaders accept power for the purpose of accomplishing what God has called them to do, but they do not seek it. Servant leaders instead are motivated by love for those they serve and use power to bless those under their leadership. Many leaders use power for their own benefit; servant leaders use power to bless others.
Daniel was not motivated by prestige.
The king promised a gold chain around Daniel’s neck. Gold chains serve only to impress others with the importance of the one who wears them. The prestige of leadership motivates many leaders who are eager to impress others with what they wear, the value of their vehicle, or their title and rank. They enjoy the perks of leadership including special food, privileges, and the admiration of followers. Many leaders are motivated by what others think; servant leaders seek only to please the one who called them to be leaders.
Daniel was not motivated by position.
The king offered Daniel a high position, third highest in the land. Many leaders spend their lives trying to climb to higher positions and want to get as close to the top as possible. But Daniel didn’t find the offer particularly appealing. He recognized that God elevates people to positions and that positions can be lost as quickly as they are gained. Servant leaders don’t seek positions; rather they focus on how to influence as much and as many as possible for God’s purposes. They hold positions lightly and do their part with or without a position. Many leaders have their eye on the position; servant leaders have their eye on the people.
Daniel was not motived by these common incentives. His eyes were focused on other things. But he still did what he was requested to do and interpreted the dream. Ironically, he still received all three gifts promised by the king (see Daniel 5:29). But, they lasted less than 24 hours when a new king took the throne. Daniel recognized the temporary nature of these motivations and shows all servant leaders how to check our hearts for the ‘why’ of what we are doing. Most leaders focus on the action; Daniel reminds us to check our motives. For servant leaders the motive is as important as the action.
For further reflection and discussion:
Take a moment to think of your current position of leadership. Focus on why you do what you do as you reflect on the following questions:
- What power do I hold in my leadership? How does this power impact my heart? Are there any ways that I am tempted to use my power for my own advantage instead to build others?
- What prestige do I receive because of my leadership? (Think of special privileges, benefits, titles, and deference given by others.) In what ways do I see these as my rights rather than privileges? Do I allow these things to cause me to look down on those ‘under’ my leadership?
- Of what importance to me is my position? If I lost my position today, would I continue doing as much as possible to continue influencing others for God’s kingdom?