Serving leaders, like all leaders, deal with money every day. Decisions need to be made that involve money in both personal and leadership roles. Serving leaders shape their thinking and decision-making process about money by their desire to serve and bless others. In this series, we’ll examine three basic principles that guide serving leaders in the way they view money and make financial decisions. The first seems counterintuitive but is foundational—serving leaders surrender money! Serving leaders recognize that the money they control is not ultimately theirs, they act as stewards. Consider these verses:  

 “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:8, NIV).  

“Again, it [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them (Matthew 25:14).  

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). 

Serving leaders seek to live out the principles found in these and many similar scriptures by surrendering their money.  

Serving leaders surrender money by acknowledging their stewardship.   

 Haggai boldly declared that God is the ultimate owner of all wealth. In the parable of the talents Jesus teaches that He entrusts resources to individuals to steward on His behalf. This view radically changes how serving leaders view money, it is not theirs, they are simply stewards.  

Some leaders are obsessed with money—getting it, keeping it, and enjoying it. Their focus is inward, and they make their financial decisions based on how it will benefit themselves. But serving leaders surrender money, they acknowledge that they are in leadership to serve others and they have money to serve others. This applies to their personal finances as well as the money they oversee in their organization. As they surrender control as stewards, they experience the freedom of contentment.   

Serving leaders surrender money by acknowledging their leadership.     

Those who see their role as stewards find freedom but also a responsibility—to use the money entrusted to them well. Many leaders use their leadership to gain advantage for themselves, focused on what will benefit them personally. But serving leaders understand that as stewards, the money they manage has a higher purpose than profit or gain, it is to serve the organization and reflect God’s desires and vision.  They are still called to lead and to use the money in a way that reflects the desires of the ultimate owner, and they serve their organizations by taking responsibility for properly managing the finances.    

Serving leaders surrender money by acknowledging their temptation.    

Jesus warns about the dangerous power money can exert in our lives. Money can literally become our god. Many leaders allow money to be the ultimate authority in their lives and do whatever it takes to get more and have more. But serving leaders acknowledge that a love of money can lead them away from serving the good of their families, communities, and organizations. They surrender money so they can lead with integrity, humility and stewardship for the good of those they serve.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• How have I viewed money and financial resources, as an owner or a steward? What difference has it made in my leadership?  
• As I lead and make financial decisions, do I demonstrate a selfish heart or a serving heart? What example can I give of a decision made in the last week that demonstrates this?  
• In what ways does money tempt me to abandon serving? How do I, or how could I, guard my heart against this? 

• Consider these additional verses related to finances and stewardship: Psalm 50:10, Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:42-48.   What more do you learn about how you interact with money as a serving leader?  

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

In the next issue, we’ll look at how serving leaders get money.  

All leaders fight battles—but not all leaders know what battles they should fight or how to win the battles. Paul gave Timothy instructions about how to serve others by successfully fighting and winning the right battles.

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, ¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith (1 Timothy 1:18-19, NIV).

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:11–12).

Some of Paul’s instructions to Timothy go against the natural instincts of a leader who is faced with a battle. But serving leaders carefully observe what Timothy learned from Paul and learned how to fight by running in the right direction at the right time.

Timothy learned to fight by running back.   

Paul encouraged Timothy to remember the “good confession” and the prophecies that had been made about him “so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well…”  Timothy learned to fight by running back to the memories that would help keep him grounded. He needed to remember who he was, why he was called, and the great purpose for which he served as a leader. As he ran back, he would gain clarity on which battles to fight and which direction to run.

Some leaders facing battles run away instead of running back. Others run quickly towards the battle but lack the solid footing that comes from recalling their purpose. They run into the battle with no sense of who they are or why they are leading. Serving leaders facing any battle fight first by running back! They run back to where they get their stability and strength. They reflect on where they have come from and why they are leading. They recall their great purpose. Then, with clarity of purpose and focus, they can face the battle.

Timothy learned to fight by running away.

Paul also encouraged Timothy to fight by fleeing “from all this”! It does not seem courageous to avoid battles, but Timothy learned that some battles are won by running away! (*See note.) He needed to turn away from areas of temptation and weakness.

Some leaders try to fight every battle. They simply charge forward believing that if there’s a battle, they should lead the charge and win. But serving leaders run away from some battles and find victory by avoiding the things that lead them in the wrong direction.

Timothy learned to fight by running toward.

At the same time Paul urges Timothy to flee from some things, he tells Timothy to “pursue” others. Timothy was learning to fight by running toward what was right and good. As he pursued these things, he strengthened his leadership capacity and was better able to serve those he was leading.

Some leaders never learn to run towards the right goals. They settle for short term wins and quick success. They measure victory only by the “bottom line” instead of the finish line. But serving leaders fight by running towards the qualities and actions that will bring ultimate success to those they serve.

Timothy served well by fighting battles well. Serving leaders learn to serve those under them by knowing when to run back, when to run away, and when to run toward their battles.

For further reflection and discussion:

• How can I learn to run in the right direction when I face the battles of leadership? What do I need to run back to that will keep me grounded?  What things do I need to run away from? What things do I need to pursue? What happens when I run toward before I run back or away?  
• Reflect on those you lead. What can I do to encourage them to develop their ability to fight well? Do I need to remind some to run back to their grounding? Are there ways I need to encourage some to flee areas of weakness? How do I call my team to pursue what is good?       
• In addition to the verses we used in this issue, consider the following: 1 Timothy 1:18, 6:6-11, 20-21; and 2 Timothy 2:22.  What additional insights do you find from these verses about how Timothy fought by running?               

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

(*In this context Timothy was especially encouraged to flee from the desire for money.  In another place Paul warns him to flee sexual temptation (see 2 Timothy 2:22). Both of these are areas where many leaders lose the battle.)  

As we conclude this series on the life of Timothy, I want to acknowledge the hard work of those who serve behind the scenes to get these out to you! Milonica Stahl-Wert and Linda Boll both use their keen editing skills to sharpen these emails. And Brian Drewery does all that is needed with technology to get these on our websites and on their way to you. Our world is better because of many who, like them, serve behind the scenes!

 If you enjoyed this series, click here to get the entire series in one document.

In the next issue, we’ll begin a series on the serving leader and money.

This temptation does not involve Jesus’ identity. Instead, the enemy reveals “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor” and says to Jesus, “All this I will give you…” It was an offer of the power, position and prestige that many leaders enjoy. This temptation relates to the privileges of leadership. But the enemy’s offer came with a high price. He asked Jesus to worship him. He tempted Jesus to compromise His character to gain privilege.

The temptation to compromise character by coveting privilege. The devil said to Jesus, “All this I will give you.” The enemy wanted Jesus to covet the privileges of leadership more than the cost of leadership. Jesus deserved the privilege which makes this temptation even more difficult for Jesus than for us. But He had deliberately given that up for the sake of His mission to save us. (See Philippians 2:5-8.)

Most leaders dream of what it would be like to have a little more wealth, honor, recognition, fame, a bigger church or a business that makes it big. What would it be like to be on the cover of the leadership magazine or to receive the “Leader of the year” award? The enemy still tests our hearts to see if we will focus on our desire for privilege. Servant leaders do not refuse recognition or privilege, but they refuse to make that the desire of their hearts. Coveting privilege is the front line of the battle. If this battle is lost here, the other two aspects of this temptation will quickly follow.

The temptation to compromise character by changing focus for privilege. A part of the enemy’s temptation of Jesus was to invite Jesus to focus on what He could get out of leadership instead of what He would give as a leader. He wanted Jesus to change the focus of His leadership.

All leaders are tempted to focus on what they will get out of leadership rather than what they can give. It is normal to ask, “What’s in it for me? What will I get in return?”

But Jesus knew His focus was to give and to serve. Privilege would come from that, but He would not shift His focus to self. Servant leaders see their leadership as an opportunity to give, not to get. They refuse to focus on the privileges of leadership.

The temptation to compromise character by conceding worship for privilege. Finally the devil named his price, “if only you will bow down and worship me.” Here Jesus was tempted to exchange His worship of the true God for privileges of leadership. The plan of the enemy is for us to compromise our integrity to gain privilege. He whispers, “You can have it all…if you will only…cheat, tell a ‘small’ lie, withhold taxes, or hide your mistakes.”

Servant leaders follow Jesus’ example and refuse to worship anything except God. They see their leadership as a sacred privilege to be used to focus people’s worship on God, not themselves or even their vision. They guard against the temptation to worship their vision instead of God. Servant leaders cry out to Jesus to give them strength to overcome the temptation to compromise their character for privilege.

Jesus’ victory provides a model for us to follow and His Spirit within provides the power for us to overcome the temptations that come with leadership.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

• How much do I honestly desire power, wealth, fame or honor? What does this say about the condition of my heart?
• In what ways have I recently been tempted to compromise character to gain privileges in my leadership?
• Do I focus more on what I can give in my leadership or what I will get out of my leadership? How does this impact my ability to lead as a servant?
• How am I tempted to worship the vision God has given me instead of worshipping Him?

Copyright, Global Disciples 2018.

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” ⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:5-7)

This temptation came at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He had a mission but He was still unknown. He did not yet have followers. The temptation was to do something dramatic that would promote himself and create an immediate following.

All leaders are promoters; they call people to join a mission and that requires sharing the vision and influencing others to follow. Leaders need charisma^*—the ability to attract or influence followers. Jesus’ temptation, and ours, is to use leadership charisma to promote the wrong things.

The temptation to use leadership charisma to promote self. The enemy whispers to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God…throw yourself down.” What is he saying to Jesus? “Are you really who you say you are? Prove it! Produce a miracle, then others will follow you.” The temptation for Jesus was to use His leadership to promote Himself.

All leaders are tempted to do whatever they can to make themselves look good. Some use God-given supernatural powers. Others use their physical abilities to build their own kingdom. Some use their power of persuasion to get people to follow them. They gain influence by making themselves look good. But servant leaders use their leadership charisma to make others look good! They promote the vision God has given them instead of drawing attention to themselves.

The temptation to use leadership charisma to promote action. The temptation of the enemy was to “throw yourself down.” Behind this was the unstated challenge, “If you’re a leader, do something! Make something happen and people will follow you. People follow results. Show them what you can do!” If Jesus would have jumped off the top of the temple and landed safely on the ground, people would have gladly followed Him as a man of action, a powerful leader! Jesus knew that leadership involves action but the action must be focused on the mission. A jump would promote action but would not result in any benefit for God’s Kingdom.

Leaders act and their actions influence others to follow. They take risks for the cause they are promoting whether that is to advance their business, develop their staff, or build their church. But all leaders are tempted to promote action that builds their own image instead of advancing the cause. They become addicted to action and cannot stop and rest. Action becomes their god. Servant leaders refuse to worship activity; they focus on the mission and act only to move towards the goal.

The temptation to use leadership charisma to promote partial truth. The enemy quoted Scripture and this is the only time his words were true! But Jesus reminded him that “It is also written….” Jesus recognized that partial truth is a lie.

Leaders are tempted to reveal only the part of the truth that makes them look good or that will appeal to the listeners. They build influence by speaking only what will attract followers. Servant leaders refuse to use their charisma to deceive followers. They promote the whole truth no matter what the results.

Jesus didn’t jump! He would use His leadership charisma to promote the right things and He calls all servant leaders to follow His example.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

^*Charisma is the ability to attract the attention and admiration of others, often a trait of personality. Leaders with charisma influence people to follow them.

For further reflection and discussion:

• In what ways am I tempted as a leader to use my charisma to promote myself? Are there any actions I have taken in the past week that were simply to impress others with my leadership?
• How am I tempted to show people what I can accomplish so they will follow me? Are there any ways that I am addicted to action and cannot be satisfied with rest?
• What part of truth am I tempted to not say to my followers? What is my fear and what does it say about the condition of my heart?
• What things should I be promoting with all the charisma I possess? How can I do this more like Jesus?

Copyright, Global Disciples 2018

¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:1-4).

The tempter didn’t question Jesus’ ability to make the stones become bread. So what was the test and how does it apply to us as leaders? This was a temptation to use His calling to provide for His needs. Every leader will be tempted to use their leadership calling as provision for their needs in three ways.

The temptation to use leadership calling as provision for personality needs. The devil very cleverly tested Jesus’ identity with the words, “If you are the Son of God…” His temptation was for Jesus to prove His identity by performing a miracle. He tempted Jesus to use His power to prove who He was. But Jesus refused to allow His leadership calling to shape His identity. His identity was already deeply rooted in His relationship with His Father.

It is easy for leaders to find their identity in their calling or role. Leaders often introduce themselves by saying, “I’m the pastor…chairman…or CEO.” Of course, there is nothing wrong with having an identity as a leader. The temptation, however, is to use our leadership role to provide our identity. Servant leaders refuse to allow their role to define who they are.

The temptation to use leadership calling as provision for physical needs. Jesus was hungry and ready for something to eat after 40 days of fasting. Jesus had a legitimate physical need. The temptation for Jesus was to use His power to meet these physical needs. But He responded, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus implies that His calling is to higher things than the physical. He was called to help people find purpose for their lives, a sense of fulfillment, to develop their own gifts and to see the needs of the world as He did. To use His leadership for “bread alone” would have been a great compromise.

All leaders have physical needs for food, money, and housing. These physical needs are legitimate, just as Jesus’ need for food was normal. But the physical needs should not be the focus of our leadership. Servant leaders gratefully accept God’s provision for their physical needs, but focus their leadership on a higher purpose.

The temptation to use leadership calling as provision for personal needs. The temptation to turn the stones into bread was for Jesus to use His calling to serve Himself instead of serving others. He was called to be the Bread of Life and to offer Himself to others, feeding them physically and spiritually. But Jesus refused to allow His leadership to fulfill His own needs, choosing instead to offer Himself for the sake of others.

Leaders are tempted to use their positions to focus on what they get out of the role instead of what they can give to others. Servant leaders follow Jesus’ example and focus on what they can give rather than what they will get. They recognize that leadership is a sacred calling, not a means to physical gain.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

• In what ways am I tempted to allow my leadership to shape my identity? If I would lose my current position or role, would I still know who I am?
• In what ways does my leadership role provide for my physical needs? Are there ways that I am tempted to see my calling as primarily to provide for the physical? If so, what is the result in my leadership? What is the ‘higher’ calling of my leadership role?
• Does my leadership focus more on what I can give or what I will get from the role?

Copyright, Global Disciples 2018.

²² The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” ²³ But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” ²⁴ And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.” (It was the custom of the Ishmaelites to wear gold earrings.) ²⁵ They answered, “We’ll be glad to give them.” So they spread out a garment, and each of them threw a ring from his plunder onto it. ²⁶ The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels, not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains that were on their camels’ necks. ²⁷ Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. ²⁸ Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years. (Judges 8:22-28)

Gideon had heard God call him a “mighty warrior.” Now others were calling him a “mighty warrior.” When God calls you “mighty warrior,” be encouraged; when others do, beware!

To Gideon’s credit, he resisted two temptations. The people invited him to “rule over them.” He was offered a good position. He declined and pointed them to God’s leadership over them. He also refused to use his leadership victory to promote his son, a common temptation for leaders.

But in other areas Gideon failed and like many leaders he did not finish well. He sabotaged* the potential God gave him by replacing his gifts of leadership with counterfeits.

Potential is sabotaged when income replaces influence. Gideon refused to take a permanent position but he asked to benefit financially from his leadership. While it is not wrong to be paid for work done, Gideon felt like his influence should be rewarded, not in a small way but with the huge sum of money he collected.

Position often leads to privilege. Every good leader will be tempted to think, “I’ve done well and deserve good compensation as reward for my effort.” Servant leaders ask God to keep their hearts focused on influencing others towards God, instead of on the income their leadership will bring.

Potential is sabotaged when religion replaces relationship. Gideon took the earrings and set up a place of worship. This was in direct violation of God’s instructions. His actions became “a snare to Gideon and his family.” Gideon began his leadership in a relationship with God but at the end of his life he allowed a religion of works to replace a relationship of intimacy.

Leaders love action and will be tempted to focus on what they do instead of intimacy with Jesus. Their acts of leadership quickly become a religion based on works. Servant leaders seek a continually growing intimate relationship with Jesus.

Potential is sabotaged when leisure replaces legacy. “During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years.” Peace is great! But although Gideon served his nation for a moment, he did nothing to equip leaders for the future. He allowed leisure to replace his legacy and Gideon’s impact lasted only for his lifetime. After his death there was leadership chaos.

Servant leaders seize every moment to prepare the next generation. They share potential with others, not for one battle, but for a lifetime of leadership.

Servant leaders learn from Gideon’s mistakes and seek God’s power to continue to develop their own potential.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

*sabotaged means destroyed, damaged, or ruined

For further reflection and discussion:

• In what way do I feel like I deserve privileges because I am a leader? How can I avoid allowing these to replace God’s call on my life to influence others for Him?
• In what way does my leadership keep me so busy that I don’t have time to strengthen my intimacy with Jesus? What do I need to change?
• In what way am I using the present to prepare for the future? Who will lead after I am gone? What can I do today to help prepare them?
• Which of the three mistakes that Gideon made is the greatest temptation for me? Are there other temptations that would keep me from fully utilizing my potential? What can I do to avoid them?

Read the account of the chaos that resulted after Gideon’s death in Judges 8:29-9:57. What do I learn from this story of Abimelech, one of Gideon’s illegitimate children? How can it help me to build up or shape my own legacy now?

Copyright, Global Disciples, 2018.

Far too many Christian leaders have lost their ability to influence because of sexual immorality. I am certain that each reader of this issue can give a personal story of this sad situation. My intent is not to condemn those who have fallen, but to help each of us deal with this sober reality in our own leadership. In the previous issue we looked briefly at Paul’s command, “Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) Each of us as servant leaders can take several steps to avoid this temptation.

Avoid immorality by acknowledging the heart of the matter.

We don’t like to admit it, but Jesus makes it very clear that immorality comes from our hearts (Matthew 15:19). James reminds us that the first stage of temptation is our own desires (James 1:14). Our hearts desire what is forbidden and the enemy of our souls tries hard to convince us that “stolen water is sweet” (Proverbs 9:17). Our culture bombards us with advertisements and examples which feed these desires. We all need to cry out for God to transform our hearts and give us hearts like His, hearts of genuine love for others and deep respect for each individual as a unique creation of God. Servant leaders acknowledge daily that their hearts need God’s transformative power.

Avoid immorality by setting boundaries.

Servant leaders realize that especially in this area that has caused so many to fall, wisdom demands that they exercise extreme caution and carefully set boundaries. The writer of Proverbs warns, “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house” (Proverbs 5:8). Higher positions of leadership often provide a place from which leaders feel like they are entitled to indulge in some form of pleasure as a reward for their hard work. While some leaders use their position as a place to indulge their own appetites, servant leaders recognize a higher calling to serve God through their position and deliberately set boundaries to protect themselves. They avoid places of temptation such as social events, the internet, the magazine rack or other places in which they face strong temptation. They identify times of temptation such as when traveling alone or times after a season of heavy responsibility and take steps to be especially cautious at these times. They identify emotional temptations where their hearts are easily drawn into inappropriate closeness such as lunch meetings or counseling sessions. When they identify these areas, servant leaders set boundaries that enable them to avoid even the appearance of evil.

Avoid immorality by fleeing.

Paul’s language is strong, “Flee from sexual immorality.” In some areas we are commanded to stand and fight, but Paul tells us that when it comes to sexual temptations we should run! Joseph, when faced with extreme temptation, left his coat and ran. Servant leaders recognize that fleeing temptation is a sign of wisdom, not cowardice.

Avoid immorality by establishing accountability.

Leaders need accountability in this area to make it to the finish line. I have been greatly helped by mentors in my life who can ask me tough questions and with whom I can share failures or times of weakness. Servant leaders recognize that God has not called us to lead alone and they are humble enough to ask for help!

Take a moment and ask how well you are doing in avoiding immorality. Use the questions below to guide your thoughts.

For further reflection and discussion:

• Evaluate yourself. In what times am I most tempted towards immorality? Are there places that trigger this temptation? Are there things that I see which lead me into temptation? Am I faithful in the way I use the internet?
• What boundaries have I put in place in my own life to guard against these temptations? Specifically, are there places I refuse to go? Movies/magazines I refuse to look at?
• Are there relationships in which I am currently involved that are leading towards emotional engagement? Do I guard my heart in office/business/work relationships? What do I need to do in order to change direction?
• Are there currently relationships or involvements in my life from which I need to flee? What would that look like for me?
• Who can I ask to hold me accountable in this area? What fears do I have about entering into a relationship of accountability? When will I initiate this relationship?

Take a moment to pray for leaders you know. Ask God to keep them strong against the temptation of immorality.

Scriptures for reflection and study: 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Cor. 5:9-11; 6:18; 10:12-13; 1 Thes. 4:3; Prov. 5:8; James 1:13-15.

Servant leaders know what to avoid! The Bible provides many instructions for servant leaders to ‘avoid,’ ‘run away from’ or ‘stay away!’ As I evaluated these instructions I found most of them centered around two categories: people and evil. In the last issue we looked at the kind of people that leaders avoid; in this issue we’ll examine the second major area: evil. Paul challenges us, “Avoid every kind of evil.” (1Thessalonians 5:22) We all face plenty of temptations no matter what we do. But servant leaders learn the art of avoiding evil as they guard against three areas in which every leader will be tempted.

Avoid the temptation of idolatry.

“Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14) Idolatry seems like an old fashioned word which brings up images of bowing down before physical statues. But at its heart idolatry is simply putting anything before God. As a leader I am tempted to set my own goals and work towards their fulfillment. I can become obsessed with plans to grow or produce a profit. These are good things but can quickly capture the place in my heart that only God should fill. Servant leaders take time to nurture their own relationship with God and recognize the truth of Jesus’ words, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Avoid the temptation of individualism.

Those who lead organizations, groups or businesses are very capable individuals and can easily think that they are able to lead alone. Servant leaders acknowledge that they need others to help them on their journey. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Servant leaders avoid the temptation to lead alone. They find mentors who speak wisdom into their lives. They find persons to whom they can confess their sins in obedience to James 5:16. They cry out to God for deliverance from the tyranny of self-sufficiency. They humbly recognize that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but strength.

Avoid the temptation of immorality.

Servant leaders take seriously Paul’s command, “Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) Running away is typically seen as a sign of cowardice, but with sexual temptation, fleeing is the mark of a wise leader! All of us are faced with daily temptations in this area. The internet has made pornography easily and privately available to all. We often work in close relationships with persons of the opposite sex. Business lunches or counseling sessions can quickly create emotional attachments. Servant leaders recognize these dangers and set personal boundaries to guard themselves. They recognize their own vulnerabilities and the locations or times in which they are most likely to fall. They seek out trusted friends to help them maintain their integrity in this area. This is such a significant area of temptation for leaders that we will examine it more closely in our next issue.

Servant leaders consciously create boundaries in their lives to avoid these temptations. Take a moment to reflect on how you are doing as a leader in avoiding these three areas. Use the questions below as a starting point. If you find areas in which you have not successfully avoided, quickly run to our God of Grace who is eager to work in your life and mine to make us more and more like Jesus!

For further reflection and discussion:

• What things in my own leadership am I tempted to put before God? (Reflect prayerfully on each of the following: Money/profit, success, popularity, comfort, self-effort, my own strategy, my own giftedness/ability, family, my own resources, etc.)
• Have I ever recognized my own tendency towards individualism? In what way is this reflected in my leadership? What is the root cause of the individualism in my heart? Have I deliberately asked others to mentor me, hold me accountable, and walk with me?
• What steps have I taken to flee sexual immorality? Have I set healthy boundaries to protect myself from unnecessary temptation? Are there secret sins in this area of my life that I have not shared with another person for prayer and accountability?

Other scriptures for reflection and study:

Idolatry: Col. 3:5; 1 John 5: 21; Ezek. 14: 6; 1 Cor. 6:9, 11; Rev. 21:8

Individualism: Ec 4:9; Joh 8:16; Mt 18:19-20; Jas 5:16; Ro 14:7

Immorality: 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Cor. 5:9, 11; 1 Thes. 4:3; Prov. 5:8