We previously observed that serving leaders see themselves as stewards of money and they are thoughtful about how they obtain money. With this foundation, the heart of serving leaders is fully expressed when they generously share their financial resources with others.  Serving leaders live their entire lives with a focus on others and this is expressed by sharing with others. This heart of generosity is shaped by verses like the following:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, NIV).

“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).

“And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).

Giving expresses a heart that is focused on serving others instead of self. Serving leaders open their hearts to those they serve in many ways. In finances this focus on others is expressed in generous sharing.

Serving leaders share money by design.      

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus’ words remind us that it is a greater blessing to give than to receive. Some leaders casually give when an urgent need is presented to them but forget about giving at other times. By default, they focus more on getting money than on giving. But serving leaders are thoughtful and intentional about giving. They look for ways to give, places to give, people to bless. They stop and reflect on what they give and how they can increase their giving. They are intentional.

Because they are stewards serving leaders seek to give in ways that reflect the heart of the true owner of their resources, God! They pray often about how and where to give. They recognize that while giving always blesses the one who gives, it sometimes can have unintended negative consequences for the recipient.* So they look for ways to give a hand to those in need in ways that empower and bless. They carefully select organizations that are making a significant impact and support them. Serving leaders recognize that the most impactful giving happens by design.  

Serving leaders share money with delight.   

“God loves a cheerful giver.” Not every person who gives does so with joy. Some leaders feel compelled to give or guilty for not giving or they want to be seen by others as givers, but their heart is not in it. But serving leaders love to give and do so cheerfully!  Those who give are the most fun people to be around and serving leaders are delighted to share.

Serving leaders share money for demonstration.

Leaders who have experienced the blessing and joy of giving naturally want others to experience the same. So, serving leaders share money to demonstrate to others how to develop a generous heart. They do not give to show off, but they do give to influence others to also give. Like the Macedonian church, they become an example of generosity to others. A serving leader I visited recently told me that one of the goals of their company is to foster a spirit of generosity among their employees. That is the heart of serving leadership, wanting others to also experience the joy and blessing of giving.

For further reflection and discussion:

• Give yourself a “generosity inventory” by reflecting on these questions:
  • How often do I reflect on how I can give more, how I can give more wisely, how I can give more joyfully?  
  • Is my level of sacrificial generosity increasing or decreasing?  
  • Do I ever give grudgingly or reluctantly?
  • Does my family and those who are closest to me see me as a giver or a taker?           
• What can I do to give with more intentionality?
• How can I encourage those I lead to be more generous?
• Consider these additional verses related to giving: (Proverbs 3:9-10, 11:25, 22:9, 28:7, 22; Luke 6:38, and 2 Corinthians 8:1-7) What more do you learn about generosity from these verses?

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

*For great insights into how giving to the poor can sometimes harm recipients, I recommend the book “When Helping Hurts.”

The first recorded action of Barnabas was one of extreme generosity.   

³⁶Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:36-37, NIV). 

Barnabas sold a field he owned and gave the money to the church leaders. He was not the first of the believers to do this (see Acts 4:34), but his name is the first one mentioned in this regard. His action seems to have inspired Ananias and Sapphira to also sell their land (see Acts 5:1-11) but their heart and motives were entirely opposite to those of Barnabas.  The generosity of Barnabas demonstrates traits that all serving leaders do well to imitate.  

Generosity serves by demonstrating sacrifice. 

Barnabas sold the field he owned. This property was likely at his home in Cyprus and perhaps his family inheritance. He likely needed to travel home and then bring the money back to Jerusalem. In any case, in addition to giving the value of the property he gave time and energy. His act of generosity was a sacrifice and reflected the posture of his heart to give. Many leaders are in leadership for what they can get out of the role whether financial gain, prestige, or power. 

But serving leaders sacrifice their own desires and needs to serve those they lead. At times, like Barnabas, this may be a financial sacrifice. But many times, serving leaders sacrifice time and energy or other resources for those who follow. True generosity always demands costly sacrifice.  

Generosity serves by demonstrating sympathy.   

Barnabas was moved to generosity by the needs in the community. There were people who had needs and he had sympathy and compassion for them. He was not looking down on others, but he was looking out for others. His act of generosity shows his heart of sympathy for the needs of others more than his own needs. He recognized that he had possessions that were not intended only for his use but to bless others.  

Many leaders see others as the means to an end, people that can help accomplish the goal or the vision of the organization. But serving leaders do not see ‘workers’ or ‘members’ but they see human beings with their own dreams, passions, and desires. They look at others and see opportunities to bless and encourage. Because serving leaders focus their heart outward, they respond to these needs with sympathy and compassion. They recognize that they have been entrusted with gifts and resources that are intended to flow through them to others.  

Serving leaders give generously to those with genuine needs because they truly care about others and sympathize with their needs.  

Generosity serves by denying self.    

Barnabas sold his land and “brought the money and put it at the apostle’s feet.” In this gesture he gave up the right to determine what happened with his contribution.  The apostles would decide how it would be used in the early church. He wasn’t generous to receive praise. While it’s natural to want others to recognize our good deeds, Barnabas denied himself in this act. His act of generosity shows the focus of his heart which was on others rather than self.  

Many leaders consider being as generous as Barnabas but want to make sure that their name will be announced in the list of donors. Others act with generosity but want to control the outcomes or determine the way others should receive their gift. But serving leaders deny themselves and generously release power to others.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• How does the generosity of Barnabas challenge me as a leader? What action can I take this week to be more like him?  
• When I give, is my generosity sacrificial or do I usually give only what I don’t want or use anyway? What steps could I take to be more generous?  

• How do I see others on my team? Do I view them as persons who are there to help accomplish my vision or do I see them as humans of equal worth as myself, with their own dreams, desires, and difficulties? How does my view of others impact my leadership?  
• Reflect on a time when you gave finances or tangible items to others with these questions. Was I able to give without any need for recognition or appreciation? Was I able to release control of the gift fully to the recipient or did I maintain power in the transaction? What do my actions reflect about my heart?  
• Read Acts 5:1-11, the account of Ananias and Sapphira who also sold their property. In what ways did their generosity contrast with that of Barnabas?  

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

In the next issue, we’ll examine how Barnabas served with a team.  

We have already observed that Boaz was a “man of standing.” His character shaped his leadership actions in the way he treated others well and in the way he treated the weak. His generous giving also reflected his character. Twice in the story Boaz gave generously to Ruth.  

¹⁴ At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. (Ruth 2:14, NIV).  

¹⁵ He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town. (Ruth 3:15).  

Boaz shared his meal with Ruth in the field and later gave her a generous gift of grain, as much as she could possibly carry! And Ruth was not the only person who benefited from his heart of generosity. There were others also who enjoyed the meal with Boaz and other women who were working in the field. Boaz was able to give generously because his heart was focused on serving. His generosity is an example to all serving leaders.  

Serving leaders give generously as they focus on others instead of themselves.  

As Boaz sat down to his meal, he could have simply thanked God that he had food. But he looked around and saw that Ruth had nothing to eat. So, he shared generously with her, giving his best, not the leftovers. His focus was not on his own needs but on the needs of others.  Many leaders focus on themselves as they lead. They think about their own goals, their own agenda and see others as a means to help them accomplish their ends. But serving leaders look at their role as an opportunity to serve those they lead. They focus on others before themselves. Their focus is outward not inward.  

Serving leaders give generously as they focus on giving instead of getting.  

Boaz owned the field and rightly expected a harvest. But his focus was on giving instead of getting. He saw the grain as something that would not only meet his needs but allow him to give to others like Ruth. He likely knew that givers also receive in return, but his motive was simply to give out of a generous heart. Many leaders are in roles of leadership for what they can get out of it. This may be financial rewards, prestige, a sense of control or a love of power. But serving leaders lead to give. They don’t measure success by what they get but rather by what they can give. Their focus is giving not getting.  

Serving leaders give generously as they focus on abundance instead of scarcity.  

Boaz did not look at his harvest and think that giving would bring loss to him. He did not think that sharing his lunch would make him go hungry. He had a mindset of abundance. He recognized that there is enough for all and that sharing brings blessing instead of scarcity. Little did he know at this point that he would gain a wife and a place in Israel’s history from his generosity. But Boaz had already learned that leaders who give also gain. Many leaders find it difficult to give because they see resources as scarce. They think that if they give, they won’t have enough for themselves. These leaders only give if they feel that they have more than enough. Leaders with this mentality seldom get enough to give! But serving leaders see a world of abundance. They find blessing in giving and experience the joy of receiving as well. Their giving inspires others to give, and the world begins to flourish in beautiful ways. Their focus is on abundance, not scarcity.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• Skim the four chapters of Ruth looking for other indications of how Boaz gave generously. What do you observe? In what way can you learn from his example?  
• Am I in leadership because of what I want to get or because of what I want to give? In what way have my actions in the past week reflected this condition of my heart?  
• When I measure success is it based on what I get from my leadership or on what I am able to give? What is a practical way I can use my role to give more generously? What things other than physical resources can I give?  
• Is my focus primarily on abundance or scarcity? How does this impact my generosity? What can I do to increase my focus on abundance?  
• What do I have to give? (Think of something tangible that you can give to someone. This may be an item you own, a gift of time, a financial contribution to someone in need, etc. Find something that you can do to give. Then reflect on what it does to your heart.)  

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

In the next issue, we’ll examine how Boaz served by keeping his word.  

The fulfillment of the Great Commission rests squarely on the shoulders of leaders. Jesus commissioned His leaders with these words, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20). 2000 years later the task is not complete and the harvest is ripe as never before. Jesus’ call is more urgent than ever and requires servant leaders to rise up, see the need for workers, equip workers and release them into the nations. In this issue, we’ll explore the role servant leaders fulfill in releasing workers for the harvest.

Servant leaders are willing to be workers in the harvest.

Servant leaders first of all recognize that God can use them in any location He chooses. They do not determine for themselves where they will serve. As they cry out to God in prayer for workers, and as they do all they can to identify and equip the workers under their care, they are also ready to be the workers they pray for. In some cases, this simply means greater levels of obedience in their current roles and areas of influence. In other cases, they will hear God’s call to move to another location and accept a different assignment. Servant leaders listen to the Lord of the harvest and say like Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Servant leaders are willing to release workers for the harvest.

Those who see their role as identifying and equipping workers for the harvest must also be willing to release workers if and when God calls them to move. A parent may be called to bless a child to live far away for the sake of the Great Commission. Pastors may need to release their best elder to a new location. Business owners may be called to release an excellent manager from their company to serve in another place where the light of Jesus is needed. It is not easy for any leader who has invested time and energy in the life of someone to see them move on. It requires the heart of a servant who is intent not on building his own kingdom, but that of the Father. Servant leaders find joy in knowing that God used them to help prepare and equip this person for the next assignment.

Servant leaders are willing to support workers in the harvest.

The work of the Great Commission requires resources. This may include training harvest workers to be self-supporting or it may include providing financial support for their work. Paul demonstrates both models of support in his church planting efforts. Leaders who focus all their energy on their own organization will not be willing to give resources to an ‘outside’ cause. But servant leaders are happy to support the work that God is doing in and through His workers. They freely and cheerfully give to support local initiatives in which God’s kingdom is extended and also eagerly give to workers who are reaching the 2 billion who have not yet heard. They do not see this giving as a drain on their own resources; instead they eagerly ask God to give them ideas and ways to increase their own ability to give. Pastors look for ways that they can increase the percentage of their budget to areas directly related to the Great Commission. Business leaders give generously as God blesses their work and sometimes begin a business with the sole intent of using the profit for the Great Commission. Professionals are careful to invest portions of their income into Great Commission work. In all these areas, a heart of service is reflected for those who have not yet known the love of Jesus.

Servant leaders do not live for their own dreams; they live to see the dream of Jesus fulfilled in their lifetime, to see disciples in every nation and among every people. May it be so!

For further reflection and discussion:

• Have you ever considered that God may call you to move to another location, another position, or a very different assignment from where you are currently? How would you know He is calling you and how would you respond?
• How would you feel if one of your key leaders told you they believed God is leading them to another place? What does this indicate about your level of passion for God’s work?
• In what ways do you already support the work of the Great Commission? Take a moment to ask God if there are additional ways you can reflect His heart for the nations?

As Paul continues to list what he expects from servant leaders, he turns next to the sensitive issue of money. A leader of quality will be “not a lover of money” (1 Timothy 3:3). Paul recognizes that loving money is a powerful temptation for all leaders. He later says to Timothy, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1Timothy 6:10). Paul’s primary concern is not with the amount of money a leader has but with the heart attitude the leader has towards money. Servant leaders seek to honor God in the way they use money and clearly recognize the evil results of loving money.

Leaders who love money use people.

Leaders who love money focus on how their leadership can increase their personal income or help them to achieve their own financial goals. Whether the followers are workers in a business or members of a congregation, the leader looks at them as a way to prosper. They are producers of income and sources of finance. They see the people they lead as means towards their selfish ends. However, servant leaders see the people they lead as gifts from God and honor them by investing in their lives to see them develop. They focus on developing others rather than using them for their own benefit.

Leaders who love money compromise integrity.

Leaders who love money will inevitably begin to make decisions based primarily on what will be most profitable. They will begin to take shortcuts, engage in questionable business practices, develop friendships based on what the other person has to offer financially, etc. These actions can easily be justified as normal since so many others are also doing the same. However, servant leaders refuse to compromise their integrity for financial gain. They make some decisions that will provide less income simply because the decision is right. They treat the poor with the same respect as those with much.

Leaders who love money reject God.

This statement may seem overly judgmental; however, Jesus makes it clear that between God and money, only one will be the master (Matthew 6:24). When leaders choose to build their leadership around money or profit, they have unconsciously rejected God’s rule and authority over their lives. Money becomes an idol that controls how they lead, the decisions they make and the way they relate to others. Servant leaders recognize this sobering reality and consciously seek first God’s kingdom, not material gain. They learn to be content with what they have and view themselves as stewards of all that God has given to them and surrender their finances to the Lordship of Jesus. They give generously and as they do are set free from the tyranny of loving money.

The sad story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10) serves as a biblical example of the danger of loving money. Ironically, in the midst of an act of giving, this couple was guilty of loving money. Outwardly they looked good but they desired to use money to gain favor and respect from others, they compromised truth in their report to Peter and tragically lost their lives as a result. Their sudden death should cause each of us to pause and ask ourselves if there are ways that our own hearts reflect a love of money.

For further reflection and discussion:

Are any of the following warning signs of loving money in my life and leadership? If so, what corrective steps should I take?

• I see the people I lead as sources of money for myself
• I treat people differently based on the amount of money they have
• I make decisions based on potential loss or profit more than whether it is right or wrong.
• I find it difficult to give sacrificially
• I do not experience genuine contentment with what I have

Reflect on the following scriptures. (Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:15; 16:13-14; Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:9-10) What is the Lord speaking to your heart through them?

The next instruction Paul gives young Timothy about the type of leaders who are worthy to be called servant leaders is "hospitable" (1 Timothy 3:2). To be hospitable is to be friendly and welcoming to strangers or guests. What in the world does what happens at home have to do with leadership? Paul recognizes that hospitality reveals at least three things in the heart of a leader, each of which is essential for servant leaders.

Hospitality displays a willingness to be transparent.

Inviting someone to your home is a risky act of vulnerability! The moment you open your door to a guest and invite them into your home, they learn to know you on a much deeper level than they ever will in public. They will observe the way that you interact with your wife and children. They will notice what books and magazines you read. They will get a sense of your values as they interact with you at home. If you are not willing to be transparent, limit your leadership to the office or public arena! It's much easier to hide who you really are in public than at home.

Hospitality demonstrates a heart of service.

Hospitality is a lot of work! Even if it is only a simple meal, hospitality involves preparation, cleaning, washing dishes, and then focusing on the needs and desires of the visitors. If your visitors stay in your home overnight or for a longer period of time, hospitality may involve moving children around to make room for the visitors, preparing beds, changing your morning schedule and cleaning after they leave. If you don't have the heart of a servant, don't bring people home! It's much easier to meet them in a restaurant or café and have a meal together.

Hospitality discloses a spirit of generosity.

Hospitality is costly. It will cost you the time that it takes to prepare, entertain, and serve. It will also cost money, likely spending more for food to prepare a special meal or at least sharing what you have. Generosity is not so much a matter of how much you possess but how much you are willing to release. Some of the most generous people I know have very little materially, but are rich in generosity and they express it by sharing freely what they have. If you're not willing to share, don't invite people to your home! It's much easier to keep than to give.

A biblical example of a servant leader who demonstrated hospitality is the account of Simon, the Tanner. Luke records the story of how this worker in a despised vocation hosted the apostle Peter in his home for "many days" (Acts 9:43). We have no idea how many meals were served to Peter during this time, but we do know that he not only enjoyed the bedroom and the kitchen of Simon the Tanner, but he also had access to the roof where he went to pray. What is more, one day three total strangers showed up and Peter, himself a guest, invited them in for the night! Another meal and three more beds! (How would you respond to that kind of a guest?) We know nothing else of Simon's faith, leadership, or academic credentials. But when he opened his door to Peter, God opened the door of faith to the Gentile world! Simon passed the quality checklist for a servant leader because of his hospitality. Peter was likely remembering him when he wrote later, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). How do you rate in this hidden area of leadership? Take some time to reflect on the questions below….and invite someone to your home today!

For further reflection and discussion:

• When is the last time you invited someone to your home for a meal? To spend the night? Do you find hospitality easy or difficult?
• What is the hardest for you in relation to hospitality: transparency, service or generosity? Spend a moment asking God to reveal to you what He wants to change in this area.
• How does your culture encourage or discourage hospitality? What can you do as a follower of Jesus to cultivate His culture in your home?
• Reflect on Hebrews 13:2. How is God inviting you to respond in obedience?

We usually think of leadership as what we do with others outside our homes, in the church or in our work environment. But the list of leadership qualities Paul gives to Timothy says leaders “must be hospitable.” (Titus 1:8). Hospitality? It almost sounds like a foreign word! What does hosting people in our homes have to do with servant leadership?

Hospitality reveals a love for others.

Inviting someone to my home shows that I am focusing on that person instead of myself. I am thinking of them and expressing my love for them by considering something that will, hopefully, benefit them! When people visit, a good host focuses on their needs and graciously seeks to make them comfortable. Leading in public can often be about me and my agenda, but hospitality is about showing love to the guest. This focus on the needs of the other is an excellent way to develop people skills and learn to relate to a variety of personalities in a relaxed setting. Introverted personalities, like me, learn to keep a conversation going by asking good questions! Servant leaders love others.

Hospitality demonstrates a heart of giving.

Showing hospitality is all about giving, not receiving. Of course, I often receive blessings from visitors, but hospitality is costly! We may spend a bit more on food than normal to provide a nice meal. But it’s not only money that we give. We take time to make a meal and clean afterwards, make beds or wash extra clothes. We give up our routines to accommodate their schedules. Sometimes it costs sleep as we stay up late to talk. We may need to catch up later on things we needed to do. Hospitality requires giving and servant leaders give.

Hospitality exhibits vulnerability.

Inviting people into my home is an act of self disclosure. When people come to my home they see a very different part of my life from what they see when I teach or preach. At home they see me relaxed and watch how I relate to my children and my wife. They observe what we have hanging on our walls and what magazines are lying on the coffee table. If they stay overnight they find out what time I go to bed and what I eat for breakfast! Sitting around the table with a cup of tea provides a much different perspective than meeting in an office or a public event. Inviting visitors is risky. They might spill coffee on the carpet or break a prized item. Servant leaders are vulnerable.

Don’t just evaluate your leadership by what you do in public; serve others at home by offering hospitality. When is the last time you invited someone to your home? Do it…and grow as a servant leader.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon

For further reflection and discussion:

• Am I eager to invite people to my home? Why or why not?
• Do others feel welcomed in my home?
• Is hospitality more difficult for people from cultures that value time over relationships?
• Is hospitality easier for some personalities than others? If so, what can be done to respond to the biblical challenge?