We already observed that Boaz was a man of standing. Who he was on the inside influenced all we can see on the outside. In the remaining issues of this series we will look more closely at five actions of serving that illustrate his heart and character. First, we’ll look closely at how Boaz treated others.  

We often judge a leader by his/her accomplishments. What did they do? What goals were reached? What actions were taken? These are valid questions, but Boaz calls serving leaders to use different standards for measurement. Let’s look more closely at how Boaz treated several groups of people and what serving leaders can learn from his example.  

Serving leaders treat their workers well. 

 ⁴ Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!” “The Lord bless you!” they answered (Ruth 2:4, NIV). These are the first words we hear from Boaz, words of greeting. His first words were of blessing and affirmation, showing his respect and relationship with them. He was the boss, the owner, the employer, the founder of the enterprise. But Boaz didn’t check their production level before he connected with their hearts. And their response showed that the respect was mutual. Many workers look away when the boss appears, fearing his reprimand or disapproval. Boaz teaches serving leaders that treating workers well is the best approach to relationships. Treating people well will also lead to better production! But serving leaders treat their workers well, not because of any anticipated results, but because it is the right thing to do!  

Serving leaders treat strangers well. 

⁵ Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?” ⁶ The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.  ⁸ So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. ⁹ Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” (Ruth 2:5-6, 8-9). At this point in the story Ruth is a stranger to Boaz, a person he has never met. Some leaders would ignore the stranger. Others might make sure the stranger is removed from the property. But Boaz takes time to find out who she is and then promptly finds a way to serve her! He does not seek to bring her into his team to accomplish his goals; he finds a way to help her meet her goals. Serving leaders see strangers as new opportunities to serve!  

Serving leaders treat their family well. 

Near the end of the story of Ruth we get a glimpse of how Boaz interacted with his extended family. ¹ Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down (Ruth 4:1).  

In many ways, this relative was a competitor. As the guardian-redeemer he had first claim over the land of Naomi and the widow Ruth whom Boaz now wanted to marry. But Boaz calls him “my friend….” They have an amicable discussion which ends in Boaz being blessed to marry Ruth. Boaz serves his family well by avoiding a division of relationships. He balances his own interests with those of his family and everyone leaves on friendly terms. Serving leaders treat their families well honoring the relationships above their own interests.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• Skim the four chapters of Ruth looking for other indications of how Boaz treated people. What do you observe? In what way can you learn from his example?  
• What happens in my leadership space when I arrive? Do people welcome my presence or look away? How can I focus on those I lead as people rather than objects to accomplish my vision?  
• How do I tend to view strangers? Do I see them as distractions? As potential helpers for me? Or, do I see them as new opportunities to serve? What stranger have I met in the last week and what might God invite me to do to serve them?  
• Read again the account of how Boaz, a single man, interacted with his extended family in Ruth 4:1-12. What more do you learn from his example?  Why might it have been hard for Boaz who was eager to get married to treat his potential rival respectfully? Who in my family do I struggle to serve? What can I do this week to honor them?  

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

In the next issue, we’ll examine how Boaz served by honoring the weak.  

Speaking the truth kindly requires balance. Truth and kindness are both important and need to be balanced. Some leaders may be so concerned about kindness that they are afraid to speak the truth. This “kindness” damages the relationship because the truth is not revealed. But truth spoken harshly will also damage the relationship!

For example, if a worship leader prepares well but did not choose good songs, the pastor may say, “Those songs were terrible!” Is this the truth? Yes, but it was not spoken kindly! But if the pastor only says “You really prepared well,” it may be kind, but the truth that the worship leader needs to hear is not spoken. Both are needed.

The leader could speak truth kindly, “Thank you for leading the worship. I can tell that you prepared very well. However, I don’t think the songs were the best for our people. Let’s talk more about how to select good songs.” Servant leaders learn to balance truth with kindness.

Speaking the truth kindly reveals maturity. Some leaders speak truth with little care about the impact their message will have on the person who listens. They just want the truth to be known! They don’t stop to think about how the other person will receive their message.

Mature servant leaders think before they speak! They ask themselves, “What impact will the truth have on this person? What would I feel if I were in their place? How can I speak this truth as kindly as possible?” This is not easy and does not come naturally to most leaders, but kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. As leaders mature, God helps them to speak truth with kindness.

Speaking the truth kindly reflects Jesus. Jesus was able to speak truth in a kind way.

¹³People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16).

The disciples were rebuking children, sending them away from Jesus. They were not even attempting to be kind! Jesus was not happy when he saw them—he was “indignant” or angry with the disciples!

Many leaders speak harsh words very quickly when they feel angry. In this situation they might say to the disciples, “What do you think you are doing? I didn’t tell you to turn them away, you’re wrong. Stop rebuking those parents!” This is all true, but not kind! The disciples were wrong in rebuking the parents who brought their children to Jesus. And they needed to know the truth!

Jesus spoke the truth but did it kindly even when he was angry. He spoke so carefully that He had children in His arms as He spoke the truth. He corrected the disciples but didn’t embarrass them publicly for their mistake. He treated the disciples and the children with kindness. The disciples heard and saw the truth expressed so kindly that they never forgot the lesson.

Servant leaders make an impact by speaking the truth kindly. They carefully consider the impact their words will have on the other and use kindness to allow the truth to penetrate as deeply as possible.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

• What is my natural tendency: to speak “truth” or to be “kind”? What is the result in my leadership?
• When have I spoken truth, but not with kindness? What results did I see in my own life and in the life of the person to whom I spoke? How could I have spoken the truth in that situation with kindness? Do I need to apologize to that person?
• Can I think of another time when Jesus spoke kindly? What can I learn from His example?

Copyright, Global Disciples 2019. 

Kings are usually known for their acts of bravery and courage, the pomp and splendor of their wealth, and their use or abuse of their absolute authority. But the story of David’s relationship with Mephibosheth paints an amazing story of a king leading with kindness. The account in 2 Samuel 9 is one of the most remarkable leadership stories in scripture. Mephibosheth was the crippled son of Jonathan, the grandson of King Saul. David, in an amazing picture of kindness, brings this cripple to live in the palace and daily eat at his own table with his own sons. What does David’s life teach servant leaders about kindness?

Kindness is purposeful.

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”(2 Samuel 9:1). David’s act was deliberate; he was not responding to a need brought to his attention. Instead, he looked for someone to receive kindness! Kindness, especially for those in power, is not an automatic response. Leaders naturally look for those who are strong and who can help fulfill their vision, but David looked for someone in need of kindness. He wanted to honor his friendship with Jonathan who was now dead. Saul’s family had been wiped out in the battles, which brought David to the throne. He didn’t even know if he would find any survivors and certainly didn’t expect to find a lame man. But he took the initiative to look. Servant leaders create opportunities to show kindness to others.

Kindness is personal.

So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons (2 Samuel 9:11). David’s kindness to Mephibosheth was intensely personal. His motive was to express kindness to someone from his dear friend Jonathan’s family who was now on the outside of the circle of power. Not only was his motive personal, David’s actions were very personal. He literally brought Mephibosheth into his own private space and treated him as one of his own sons. David could easily have given Mephibosheth a one-time gift and sent him away, but he did far more than that. Mephibosheth felt like an outcast and saw himself as “a dead dog.” David’s kindness to Mephibosheth was more than a handout; it restored dignity and purpose to his life. He ate with the king! Servant leaders recognize that kindness is about relationships with real people. Kindness brings people into the leaders circle and values even those who cannot contribute to the vision.

Kindness is costly.

And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet (2 Samuel 9:13). This act of kindness was costly to David in many ways. Although David enjoyed great wealth, this act of kindness was quite costly. He gave away all of Saul’s land, he provided a home for Mephibosheth in Jerusalem, and fed him daily! But this act cost David more than money. He took a risk to bring into the palace an heir to Saul’s throne and a former enemy of the nation who was not from the ruling tribe. His security guards were likely not pleased to have this man at the King’s table! Others may have whispered quietly that having a cripple at the table was another act far below the dignity of a king. Whatever the cost, David showed kindness and demonstrates to servant leaders that power does not need to rob us of our capacity to show love to the weak.

David’s kindness to Mephibosheth is a beautiful picture of what God has done to each of us: accepting us in our weakness and bringing us to His table as sons and daughters. Servant leaders receive this with gratitude and pass it on to others, especially to those who are weak.

For further reflection and discussion:

Read the entire story of David and Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9 and then reflect on the following questions.

• What does it mean for me to be purposeful in expressing kindness?
• How do I view people who are considered ‘weak’ in my community, the poor, the physically disabled, the uneducated, those with no voice? How might God want me to use my leadership to reach out in kindness?
• Do I sometimes express kindness from a distance, like giving money to a cause instead of getting personally involved? If so, how is God inviting me to be personal in my kindness?
• What price am I willing to pay for an act of kindness? What does this reveal about my heart and what is God inviting me to do in response?