Issue #173, January 27, 2016
What challenges did you face when you were 16 years old? Most 16-year olds are more concerned about finishing High School or learning to drive a car than leadership. But in Israel, 16-year old Uzziah became king soon after his father, the previous king, was killed. Two words summarize his 52 years of leadership: position and privilege. In many ways he was a great leader. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success (2 Chronicles 26:4-5). This great king built a strong army, fought against his enemies, conquered other nations, invented new forms of weaponry, built cities, succeed as a farmer and become famous. He used his position to build the nation.
Yet his success in this position became his downfall. But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense (2 Chronicles 26:16). What happened? King Uzziah’s powerful position led to a sense of privilege which ruined his leadership. Instead of using his position to serve, he focused on privileges to which he felt entitled as a leader. Many leaders after him have fallen into the same trap. What can we learn as servant leaders about privilege from King Uzziah?
Privilege reveals pride.
It is clear that Uzziah’s power led to pride. He began to feel that his success was not only because of God’s blessing in his life, but from his own efforts. As a powerful leader he was no longer humbly seeking God’s direction and did not acknowledge a need for help. Servant leaders recognize that the more successful they become, the more they need to guard their hearts against pride. They seek God’s grace to remain humble.
Privilege rewrites rules.
King Uzziah went into the temple to offer incense, something only the priests were permitted to do. As a 16-year old he would not have even thought of taking this outrageous step. But now he was powerful, successful and famous. He gave in to the temptation all leaders face to rewrite the rules when they are in power. It is easy for a leader to think that since they are in charge, some rules don’t apply to them. It leads to expecting others to abide by the law, but not applying the law to themselves. Those in power can compromise on an expense report or cheat on taxes. Or they no longer have time to fast and pray like they did when they began leading. Power and privilege often lead to compromise. Uzziah learned the hard way that God does not bend His rules for leaders! Servant leaders seek to grow in obedience to God’s standards rather than rewriting them.
Privilege resists correction.
Eighty courageous priests risked their lives to confront the king. They told him that what he was doing was not right! He became angry and raged at them! His leadership ended in disgrace and the shame of leprosy. Leaders who accept privilege resist correction. They do not want to admit they are wrong. After all, they are in charge and powerful! Servant leaders recognize their tendency to resist correction so they look for friends who will openly challenge them when they are wrong.
Uzziah started out with a position which he used for God’s glory. But when he focused on privilege he stumbled and fell. Every successful leader will face these temptations. Servant leaders recognize that God provides positions but leaders seize privilege. They humbly ask God to keep them from allowing their positions to lead to privilege.
For further reflection and discussion:
Read the entire story of Uzziah’s life in 2 Chronicles 26 and then answer the following questions:
- Do you see your position as a gift from God? How do you see it differently today than you did when you first entered the position? Are these differences helpful or destructive?
- How do you view your success as a leader? Do you see this as a result of your own efforts or as a blessing from God? How is your view expressed in your leadership?
- Are there areas of your life in which you have rewritten the rules? Reflect on the following areas and ask if there have been changes in what you see as right and wrong in the past 10 years: Your use of money, accountability, submission to authority, sexual temptations, spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting, driving habits, eating habits, and use of authority. Write down areas you sense God calling you to change and what you will do differently.