Issue #10, July 8, 2009
Money matters to everyone. We all use money, need money and handle money every day. Our money is a powerful force in our lives and it is not surprising that the Bible has a lot to say about possessions and finances. The way a leader thinks about and handles money both reveals much about his/her heart and it also powerfully impacts those who follow.
A servant leader is cautioned not to be a lover of money. (1 Tim. 3:3) Paul’s instruction deals not with how much money we have, but with our attitude towards it. Specifically, he cautions against an unhealthy appetite for money. How can we know if we ‘love money?’
Choosing our vocation based on money.
God calls servant leaders in the marketplace, in education, in the arts and in church work. Each of these callings has monetary implications. For some, this means a business vocation that provides more than enough money and in some cases a special gifting to make money. For another, God’s call may mean a life of sacrifice and seeming financial limitations. In either case, we cannot choose obedience if we are a lover of money and make career choices based on financial results instead of obedience. While God certainly has given every leader the responsibility to work hard and provide for their families, servant leaders seek to hear God’s voice in their calling and to walk in obedience. How have you chosen to do what you do? Is it a calling or a decision based on finances? Is your objective to become financially secure or is it to maximizing your gifts so others may benefit and may see Jesus in your work and leadership?
Setting our priorities based on money.
What is most important shapes our lives and determines our priorities. Leaders are faced daily with choices about priorities that determine the direction of their lives and those who follow. It is natural to focus on priorities that produce more money. In church planting, we can prioritize a higher class neighborhood rather than working with the poor. In a business, we can focus on short term profitability rather than longer term health or focus on profit over generosity towards employees.
Jesus’ priority was clear; He focused on doing the will of His Father and taught that our first priority should be seeking the advancement of the kingdom, not financial gain. Servant leaders focus on kingdom priorities even when at the time it doesn’t seem to be the best financial decision.
Making our decisions based on money.
When our heart’s desire is to have money, the daily decisions we make will reflect this passion. For business leaders, this is often means maximizing return rather than serving the customer first or delivering a quality product. This is often referred to as putting the ‘bottom line’ first. Church leaders may decide who to visit based on the income level of the person involved or may be tempted to avoid preaching about certain issues for fear of offending a member with financial power.
Servant leaders look beyond these aspects and look at broader objectives. They ask, “How will this decision benefit others whether members, customers or staff?” “What is God’s desire for this situation and how can I act in a way that advances His kingdom?”
What role does money play in your leadership? Are you a ‘lover of money’ or a servant leader with a radically renewed heart?
For further reflection and discussion:
- In what unhealthy ways have I allowed money to impact my priorities and decisions?
- What would those who follow me say about the way I view money?
- Can you share a decision you made that was clearly not made on a financial basis?
In the next issue we’ll look at some ways that servant leaders handle money.