Great leaders focus on the needs of others—but do not neglect caring for themselves. As we have already seen, they take care of their souls and their bodies. They also find ways to grow and develop their own gifts and calling. Paul calls Timothy to this aspect of self-care: 

¹⁴Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress (1 Timothy 4:14-15, NIV).

⁶For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

In these verses, Paul calls Timothy to nurture and develop the gifts given to him by God. Timothy’s growth would impact his leadership, just as our growth impacts ours, in several ways.

Taking care of your growth enlarges your capacity.

Paul tells Timothy to “fan into flame” the gift God has given to him.  No leader begins with maturity; it requires growth and practice. Leaders need to invest time to grow and develop capacity. Paul was a great model for Timothy to follow but Timothy had to take care of his own growth and development. The Irish proverb reflects this truth: “You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.” When a leader grows, the people under them benefit. They will experience better leadership and be challenged to grow themselves. Some leaders are content to rely on their previous success and focus on maintaining their role. But serving leaders are passionate about growing themselves and developing their God-given gifts and roles. They invest time and money to enlarge their own capacity.

Taking care of your growth expands your impact.

Paul urges Timothy to grow his gift “so that everyone may see your progress.”  He connects Timothy’s development with a life characterized not by timidity but “power, love and self-discipline.” His growth would expand the impact he would have on the lives of others. As he developed greater leadership capacity, his impact would expand, enabling him to lead people more effectively and to serve more people.  Investing time and resources in your own growth is not selfish—it prepares you to serve with greater impact. 

Some leaders seek to grow only to benefit themselves and advance their own power and authority. But serving leaders want to bless others—so they grow themselves.  

Taking care of your growth expresses appreciation to God.

Paul makes it clear to Timothy that the gift he has is not for himself; it is the “gift of God” which came through the “laying on of my hands.” He wants Timothy to be clear that he is a steward of his leadership capacity and that the best way he can express his appreciation to God is to fan the gift into flame! Gifts are not given to us as mature and fully developed; we are called to develop them. God provides the flicker, then invites us to fan it into a flame.

Some leaders grow themselves because they want to achieve greatness for themselves. But serving leaders grow themselves because they want God to be glorified in their leadership. Their commitment to personal growth is an act of worship and it makes them better leaders.   

For further reflection and discussion:

Do I see my leadership as a gift from God that He expects me to nurture and develop? How does this impact the way I invest in my own growth?

In what ways do I invest time and resources in my own growth as a leader? Are there changes I need to make in this area?

In what specific ways am I currently growing and developing my leadership gift? Are positive changes in my leadership evident to those around me?  If not, what do I need to change? 

What additional insights about the need for growing myself do I gain from the following passages? Matthew 25:14-30; Ephesians 4:15-16; Hebrews 5:12-14; Philippians 3:12-14; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Timothy 4:7-8.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

Do you want this series in one document? Click here to download.

In the next issue, we’ll begin a new series. 

Leaders often focus on the task at hand and the mission they hope to accomplish, but pay little regard to their own bodies. Paul cautioned Timothy that his leadership was not only a matter of taking care of his soul but also taking care of his body. Consider these verses:  

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8, NIV).

Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23).

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Timothy 4:16).

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

Taken together, these verses remind us that our physical bodies matter to God and should not be neglected as we seek to lead well.  

Taking care of your body is spiritual.   

Paul calls Timothy to “Watch your life,” a broad call to pay attention to himself. Elsewhere, Paul makes it clear that this includes paying attention to the physical. We are each tempted to separate our lives into the physical realm and the spiritual realm with the spiritual being the most significant and worthy of all our focus. But Paul brings them together for Timothy and in his instructions to the church in Corinth.  It is possible to “honor God” with our bodies!

Some leaders see their care of their bodies as unrelated to their spiritual pursuits. But serving leaders recognize that God cares about how they treat their bodies—so they also care!

Taking care of your body is valuable.

Paul says “physical training is of some value…” Yes, godliness has more eternal implications than our physical health, but Paul concludes that both are valuable. He recognizes that Timothy’s “frequent illnesses” are worthy of attention as a leader. He urged Timothy to pay attention to his body! Years later, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a Scottish minister, reportedly said, “God gave me a message to deliver and a horse to ride. Alas, I have killed the horse and now I cannot deliver the message.” He died at 29.

Some leaders prioritize their leadership growth around books, seminars, podcasts, and mental training with little regard to their bodies. But serving leaders seek to balance their physical and intellectual growth.

Taking care of your body is practical.   

Paul tells Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach.  He is not here addressing the broader question of the ethical use of alcohol; he’s giving Timothy practical medical advice. He wants Timothy to pay attention to what he puts in his stomach! When a stomach is growling, upset, or bulging, leaders should take practical steps to make needed changes. For other leaders, it may not be a food issue, but one of getting enough rest or getting sufficient exercise.

Some leaders focus on their vision and mission and the practical steps they will take to accomplish them. But serving leaders also get practical about taking care of their bodies and implement practical steps toward maintaining physical health. They are better leaders because of it!

For further reflection and discussion:

Are there ways I have seen my physical health as somehow less important or less spiritual than the care of my soul? How has this impacted my leadership?

What priorities have I established—or will establish—in my own life in the following areas:

• Adequate rest
• Healthy diet
• Sufficient exercise
• Appropriate medical attention
• Establishing Sabbath rest in my rhythms       

 What additional insights about the need for care of my body do I gain from the following passages? (Exodus 20:8-11; 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 127:2; Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 6:31; Luke 5:15-16; Ephesians 5:28-29; and Romans 12:1).

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at how we care for our own growth.  

Do you ever wonder if what you do today really matters? In this series we’ll explore why our daily work carries deep and lasting significance*. Our daily work occupies most of our time and energy—whether teaching students, building kitchens, plumbing homes, farming fields, writing software, or working in an office.  

Most Christians are familiar with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This is central to the mission of the church, and we tend to focus on it. But the first chapter of the Bible introduces an earlier commission:

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28, NIV). 

This verse provides God’s plan for mankind from the beginning.  His call was for people to partner with Him to develop the world and extend the goodness, order and beauty He placed within it. This was His first commission and it directly relates to the work you do every day in several ways. 

Your work helps fill the earth.  

“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth…”  God created a beautiful garden that occupied a small area, but there were vast areas untouched by His goodness, beauty and order. God didn’t do that work; He gave humans the mandate to increase and fill the earth with people, homes, farms, cities and gardens. The work you do today is in some way a response to His call to fill the earth with His purposes.  

Some leaders focus on creating a product or service that will produce income. But serving leaders see their work as participating in God’s plan to fill the earth with His goodness, beauty and order.

Your work helps subdue the earth.  

“and subdue it…” God’s call to Adam and Eve to subdue the earth was a call to make it useful. This was a call to create civilization and culture—to develop art, education and culture. It was a call to explore the earth, discover the minerals hidden in the soil and the vast reserves of oil underground. It was an invitation to discover better ways to grow crops and build structures. It was a call to find ways to organize people in societies that allow them to flourish and thrive. It was a mandate to find ways to communicate and share thoughts and ideas with others. Your work today does something to make the world more useful.

Some leaders use their work to exploit the earth, seeking to maximize personal gain at the expense of others. But serving leaders see their work as a means to make the world more useful for others.

Your work helps rule over the earth.  

In the final part of this commission God tells the first couple to “rule over” the world around them, particularly the animal world. This has the idea of partnering with God to take the world somewhere. God could have done this on His own, without any help from us. But He invited man to participate in His work.

Adam was called to cultivate creation, developing its potential and bringing increasing order and beauty. He had at his disposal “gold, resin/pearls, and onyx.” (Gen. 2:10-12). Scripture later describes the New Jerusalem using similar materials—gold, onyx, and precious stones (Revelation 21:18–21)—suggesting that human work ultimately contributes to God’s unfolding purposes.

Some leaders seek power and authority to benefit themselves. But serving leaders see their work as partnership with God to bring His good rule upon the earth.

For further reflection and discussion:

• How do I tend to see my work, as a necessary evil or as an integral part of God’s plan for the world? What difference does it make in my leadership?
• Do I see my daily work as having equal significance traditionally recognized “Great Commission work”? How could my daily work also contribute to the work of the Great Commission?
• In what specific ways does my work make the world a more useful place?
• In what ways does my work help bring a bit more of God’s order, beauty, and goodness into the world?            

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at how our daily work is an act of worship.

*Many of the thoughts in this series come from Jordan Raynor’s book “The Sacredness of Secular Work,” which I highly recommend.

The tremendous impact of serving leadership comes at a high price. Jesus used the occasion of an argument among the disciples to teach them the cost of serving leadership.

²⁴A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves (Luke 22:24-26, NIV).

 We have already examined Jesus’ call for His disciples to release their love of positions and their desire for power. The example of leaders eager to be called “benefactors” reveals the final area Jesus calls His disciples to release—prestige. Benefactors are persons who give money or assistance to a person or cause. That sounds like a good thing! But notice that Jesus says these leaders are not called benefactors by others, but they “call themselves Benefactors.”  They want the prestige that comes with being a leader who gives. But they don’t have the heart of a giving leader. They are not serving others, they are serving themselves! They are consumed with prestige.

We can think of prestige as all the honor, privileges, and “perks” that come with leadership. Prestige may include the best seat at the table, the best parking spot, the biggest office, a good vehicle, a special place at the front of the line (or no line at all!), special titles, membership in the exclusive club, special attire, etc.

Serving leaders release prestige as a right.

The Gentile rulers called themselves nice names and expected everyone to give them honor and prestige because of their position. It was their right. They were quickly offended when they were not addressed with the proper title or protocol. Again Jesus calls for a radically different way. “You are not to be like that.” Serving leaders release prestige as a right. They let go of their ego to serve the organization and the people around them. They are not quickly offended when others do not respect them properly. Serving leaders should be the most honored leaders alive because they are the best! They deserve prestige more than dictators and ego-driven leaders. But they release this right to serve others.

Serving leaders reject prestige as a measure.

The leaders Jesus described used prestige as a measure of their value and success. They loved to be recognized as benefactors and made a big show of their importance. But serving leaders reject prestige as a measure of their value or success. They are not concerned with their titles and they are not impressed with the perks that come with their role. They are not afraid to mingle with ordinary people because they are not flaunting their accomplishments. Serving leaders measure their success by their ability to serve others. They see themselves as successful when others around them succeed.

Serving leaders receive prestige as stewards.

Some leaders seek perks and prestige but serving leaders seek to serve. When they receive prestige and honor, serving leaders receive them as gifts with which they are entrusted. They look for ways to bless others with the prestige given to them. They look at and affirm the contributions of others. They consciously seek to bring others into the circle of honor rather than trying to keep them out. Serving leaders don’t refuse prestige but they use it to more effectively serve others.  

Serving leaders are called to release the most coveted symbols of leadership: position, power and prestige. But as they release these things, they also release to their world the impact of leadership that truly transforms, inspires, and energizes those who follow.    

For further reflection and discussion:

• In my context what are the most common indicators of prestige for leaders? (List at least 5 of them.)   Which of these is the most important to me?
• Are there ways I am tempted to measure my worth by the perks of my role? Do I like to remind others of those special privileges I have?
• How concerned am I about my titles? When people don’t use my title or make a mistake about my title, what does it do in my heart? How do I respond? How does that impact my ability to lead as a servant?
• In what ways can I use the honor and privileges I enjoy to serve others this week?  

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll begin a new series.  

Serving leadership produces thriving in people, organizations, communities and nations. But serving leadership is costly! Leaders who seek to serve consciously and consistently need to release things that are difficult to give up. Jesus talked about the “kings of the Gentiles” as typical leaders but called His disciples to a radically different form of leadership which we call serving leadership. In the previous issue we focused on how the disciples, like most leaders, were looking for positions. Jesus called His disciples to release that to serve.  Power is the second area Jesus calls His disciples to release.

²⁴A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves (Luke 22:24-26, NIV).

Jesus’ observation that the Gentile leaders “lord it over them” and “exercise authority over them” highlights their desire for power and authority.

Serving leaders release power as a right.

All leadership roles come with power and authority. The Gentile leaders assumed they had every right to this power. They had likely worked hard to get into the position they occupied and so were not hesitant to use their power for their own advantage. As leaders they were “over them.” They expected people to instantly obey their every command and were ready to remind everyone of the power they possessed. So they lorded it over those they led and exercised authority over them. Power was their right. To this leadership approach Jesus tells His disciples, “You are not to be like that.” Jesus was not telling the disciples that they would not have power, in fact He strategically gave them power and authority (see Matthew 28:19-20). But He was calling them to release their right to have power. They were not called to “lord it over” but to serve. Some leaders see power as their right but serving leaders see power as a gift to serve others.

Serving leaders reject power as a measure.

Typical leaders see their level of power as a measure of their success. The more they have, the better they feel. They are quick to ask others, “Did you see how people moved when I told them….?” But Jesus says, “the one who rules” should be like “the one who serves.” Serving leaders reject power as a measure of their success or worth. Instead, they measure how well they are serving those they lead.  

Serving leaders receive power as stewards.  

The Gentile leaders saw their power as something to be exercised for their own advantage, it was their right. They had worked for their power and would now use it to further their own objectives. But serving leaders see power as a gift given to them for a greater purpose, to serve the organization, their teams, their customers and others. Their role is to properly steward the power entrusted to them. They do not focus on power over others but power for others. Paul is a great example of this attitude when he writes in 2 Corinthians 10:8, “the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down…” As a steward of the power received from the Lord, he focused on using that power to build others.

For further reflection and discussion:

• What power do I have in my current role? (Reflect on the power your role carries with it and how your power is different than those under your leadership.) 
• What is my heart attitude towards my power? Do I see it as something I have earned or as a gift? Am I ever tempted to let others know the power I hold by asking, “Don’t you know I am the boss?” How has this impacted my ability to influence others?  
• If I view my power as a gift entrusted to me to serve others, how will that be reflected in the way I lead this week? How will it be reflected when I face opposition to my leadership?  
• As a serving leader am I ever tempted to not use power because I’m afraid I might misuse it? What might Jesus say to me about that?    

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll examine how serving leaders pay the price of giving up prestige.  

In our exploration of serving leadership, we typically focus on the benefits and rewards of serving others and indeed there are many. But there is also a high price to serving leadership—a price that many are not willing to pay. Serving leadership requires releasing things that many leaders value greatly. In this series we’ll look at three of these costs by reflecting on a teaching of Jesus to His disciples.

²⁴A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves (Luke 22:24-26, NIV).

 The disciples are having a dispute about leadership and who would be in the top position. Jesus used the debate to provide insight into the type of leadership He was expecting from His followers. It would be radically different than their struggle for positions and different from what they had seen modeled by others. He states bluntly, “You are not to be like that!” He goes on to describe what it would look like to be “the one who serves.”

The disciple’s desire for position is the first area Jesus calls serving leaders to release.

Serving leaders release position as a right.

The disciples started their argument with the assumption that one of them would be in the top position, the only debate was who it would be. They all wanted to be on the top of the organizational chart and they likely each stated their case for why they would be the greatest. They felt like they had earned the right to that position. Some leaders focus their energy on climbing to the highest position and see others as competitors for that role. They delight in telling others how they worked for their position or earned a promotion. But serving leaders surrender this right, they don’t compete with others to get top positions and are equally able to make an impact when they are “like the youngest.”

Serving leaders reject position as a measure.

The disciples were concerned with who would be the most important person on their team. They assumed that the one who was the highest would be the “greatest.” Leaders often use their position as a measure of their value. If they have a “high” position, they believe they have more value as a person.  

Some leaders see their position as an indication of their greatness and delight in telling others their title and role as an indication of their value to the world. They are eager to mention the numbers of people serving them in the organization, how much income the company is earning, and how things have improved since they are in charge. But serving leaders surrender measuring their value by their position. They seek to be like “the one who serves.”  

Serving leaders receive position as stewards.

Jesus didn’t say that it is wrong to have a position but He rebuked their striving for positions. As we have observed many leaders see their position as a right and an affirmation of their worth. But serving leaders release their right to a position. Then they receive a position as a steward. They see their position simply as a place from which they can serve others and the organization. The higher the position; the more opportunities they see to serve.  

For further reflection and discussion:

• What is my heart’s attitude towards the position I currently hold? Do I feel entitled to this position because of my hard work? Do I feel the position is beneath what is rightfully mine? Do I long for a higher position? How does my leadership reflect this attitude of my heart?
• What do I use to measure my value as a leader? Is it related to my position or my impact? How would I view my worth today if my position was stripped away from me and I no longer had a title? How do the words of Jesus challenge me in this area and what can I do to see my value properly?
• If my position is a gift from God to be used for Him, what difference will that make in how I lead others today?

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at how serving leaders pay the price of giving up power.  

Serving leaders surrender their business* or organization and see their role as stewards. They shape the organization by focusing on the value they bring to the world, by developing people and creating a culture of excellence. They also serve the organization by taking time to work on the business. Many leaders spend nearly all of their time working in the business, doing the daily tasks that need to be done. But serving leaders find ways to step back and focus on strategic planning, building leaders and long-term development of the business.  They consider scriptures like these:

“Where there is no revelation [KJV “vision”] people cast off restraint (Proverbs 29:18a, NIV).

²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’ (Luke 14:28-30).

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).

¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. ¹⁸ You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. ²¹ But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²³ If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied” (Exodus 18:17, 18, 21, 23, NIV).

Serving leaders serve the organization by clarifying direction.

Effective organizations have clarity on vision, mission and values. Without clarity on vision people will “cast off restraint” or live carelessly. Leaders who spend all their time in the daily tasks that need to be done fail to provide the direction the organization needs to thrive. Serving leaders take time to work on the organization by clarifying vision, mission and values. They often spend time reminding people of these core elements that bring meaning and purpose to the daily tasks. This clarity results in purpose and meaning in the work and increases the engagement of the hearts of people in what they are doing. Only leaders can clarify direction.

Serving leaders serve the organization by careful planning.

Some leaders are so busy doing the work that they don’t take time to plan for the work. They are too busy to “sit down and estimate the cost.” But serving leaders recognize that part of their role as a leader is to ensure that plans are properly made and carried out. They look down the road and anticipate future challenges and make plans to prepare the organization for long-term success. Only leaders can ensure that adequate planning takes place in an organization.

Serving leaders serve the organization by creating leaders.

Moses was a classic leader trying to do all the work himself when his father-in-law gave him great leadership advice to develop leaders from the people. Some leaders focus on getting the work done through people. But serving leaders focus on developing the people that they have. They understand that they will never have too many leaders in the organization and that only leaders can ensure that the organization is producing leaders.

Remember, it’s not your business! Serving leaders serve the organization by working on it.

For further reflection and discussion:

• How clear in my organization is our vision (why we exist)? Our mission (what we do that benefits the world)? Our values (How we relate to each other and those we serve)? What do I need to do to make these directional pillars an integral part of our daily work?
• Do I naturally focus on planning or execution? What does this indicate about who I need to work closely with on my team? Do we take enough time for strategic planning in our organization? If so, reach out to your team and thank them for their work in effective planning and point out how it benefits the organization. If not, when will I schedule time for this?
• How effectively do I focus on developing leaders in my organization? What is my plan to keep developing leaders? What steps can I take to create an organization that focuses on developing leaders?

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

*Note: In this series we use “business” to apply to any type of organization whether for profit or non-profit. The principles of this series apply to for-profit enterprises, non-profits (such as churches or NGO’s) and any other domain of work and service. 

If you would like a PDF of this series in one document, click here to download.

Beginning with the next issue we will update our branding for this newsletter. The content will remain the same but we will have a new look!”

 We saw in the previous issue that serving leaders recognize that the business* is not theirs, they are stewards. Yet, stewards are not passive bystanders, they are active participants in the work of building and growing an organization. They are called by God to shape the organization as indicated in these verses: 

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28, NIV).

[Leaders are] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:12).

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).

Serving leaders take these, and other scriptures, as their mandate to make things happen. God’s original mandate for humans was to “Be fruitful and increase…fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over…” They are called to work hard with their whole heart in the place where God has allowed them to be a steward. Leaders are called to shape their worlds!

Serving leaders shape the organization by building a kingdom focus.

As stewards of a business or organization, serving leaders see their role as building the organization to accomplish God’s purposes in the world. They see their organization as contributing value to the world through the services and products that they offer. Builders create homes where people can live peacefully in safety and security. Bakers make food that sustains the lives of those they serve. Bankers provide opportunities for investments and financial stability. Every honorable profession is a part of God’s plan for a flourishing world! Some leaders are focused on building their own kingdoms, seeking to obtain wealth for themselves and their offspring. But serving leaders focus on a much larger picture. Serving leaders see their work as a small part of a much larger vision of what God is doing on the earth.  They craft a vision statement of how they bring value to the world. Their mission is focused on building and serving others. Their values reflect God’s heart for the way people should relate to each other. They build teams that demonstrate God’s purpose for the variety of strengths He has given. They delegate power and authority in ways that reflect God’s design for human development and flourishing.

Serving leaders shape the organization by building people.

Most leaders are focused on shaping the business or organization they are leading for success or profit. Serving leaders shape the organization by building people. They understand that as they build people and create a healthy culture the organization will grow and succeed. They see their primary role as “to equip” people for work. Serving leaders shape the organization with a focus on the people. 

Serving leaders shape the organization by building a culture of excellence.

Some leaders focus their organization towards profit and are willing to sacrifice quality when it appears to strengthen their bottom line. But serving leaders see themselves as stewards and all they do as an act of worship since they are “working for the Lord.” They honor God with the best product and service they can produce. They strive to create a culture in which people bring “their whole heart” to the task at hand.  They expect and reward excellence.   

Remember, it’s not your business! Serving leaders serve the organization by shaping it.  

For further reflection and discussion:

• How does my business or organization fit into God’s grand purposes for the
  world? How do our services/products make the world a better place? How
  effectively do I communicate this to the people inside and outside our
  organization?
• In what ways am I growing people in my organization? Do I provide salaries
  that allow people to grow and flourish? Do I align people with their own
  strengths and giftings? Am I continually delegating responsibility and
  authority that builds leadership capacity in my organization?
• How highly do we value excellence in the organization or team I lead? Are
  there areas in which we do not view our work as an act of worship to God and
  worthy of our best effort? How well does our work environment reflect God’s
  desire for beauty and order? What steps can I take this week to encourage and promote a culture of excellence?

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

*Note: In this series we use “business” to apply to any type of organization whether for profit or non-profit. The principles of this series apply to for-profit enterprises, non-profits (such as churches or NGO’s) and any other domain of work and service.  In the next issue, we’ll look at how serving leaders serve the business.

Leaders influence and impact the realm where they have authority. This may be at home, in their office or department, in the church they lead or in the business they operate. They naturally feel a sense of ownership of that entity, especially if they founded the organization or business*. But serving leaders recognize that the business is not their business. They view their business as reflected in the following scriptures.  

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1, NIV). 

‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty  (Haggai 2:8).  

⁶I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).     

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7).  

Serving leaders see themselves as stewards rather than owners, they surrender ownership of their business/organization and it deeply impacts the way they lead.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging God’s ownership.   

God loudly declares that everything in the world is His! The land and the financial resources all belong to Him. This includes property deeds, bank accounts, property, equipment, etc. God allows His people to use His property for the time that they are alive. Serving leaders recognize that they are simply stewards of what He has entrusted to them. They seek to be responsible and faithful for what they have to manage whether little or much.  

Some leaders see themselves as owners and work in the business to bring profit to themselves. They take full responsibility for all that happens and focus on success as they define it. But serving leaders acknowledge God’s ownership. They are grateful for the opportunity to manage the organization and seek to do it with excellence. But they do not carry the weight and pressure of ownership. They find peace in being stewards.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging others’ contributions.  

Paul openly acknowledged that his success was dependent on the contributions of others. He “planted” but Apollos “watered” and ultimately God was the one “making it grow.”  

Some leaders only recognize their own contributions and tie their effort to the success of the organization. They start early and stay late because they think that without their diligence the organization will fail. But serving leaders acknowledge that success is not the result of one person’s efforts, but the work of a team. They gladly point out the contributions that others are making to the organization’s growth and ultimately give God the credit for the healthy growth they experience.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging their gifts.     

Paul acknowledged that he planted seeds that produced fruit. But he also recognized that the gifts he possessed were a gift from God, not something he produced on his own. Some leaders see themselves as superior to others and take credit for their own gifts. But serving leaders acknowledge their gifts as a blessing from God. They do not minimize how they are gifted, but they also do not take personal credit for that which they have received.   

Remember, it’s not your business! Serving leaders serve their organizations by surrendering ownership.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• How do I view ‘my’ organization, as mine or God’s? Do I feel pressured to make things happen and tie the success of my organization to my value as a person? How can I daily live in the reality that it all belongs to God?  
• When I reflect on the success experienced in my organization, do I look first at my own contributions, or do I focus on the contributions of others? How can I acknowledge the contributions of my team this week?  
• Reflect on Paul’s words, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” This week, how can I thank those who invested in my own growth and development? (Think about teachers, mentors, persons who opened doors for you, introduced you to significant relationships, those who believed in you before you produced results, etc.)  

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

*Note: In this series we’ll use “business” to apply to any type of organization whether for profit or non-profit. The principles of this series apply to for-profit enterprises, non-profits (such as churches or NGO’s) and any other domain of work and service.   

In the next issue, we’ll examine how serving leaders shape the business.  

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.”