If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3
You can give away all that you have…
Sacrifice everything you hold dear…
Spend every day serving others…
And still not be practicing genuine servant leadership.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Here on Earth, we can get mixed up about love. We think about love as a feeling — as a natural, positive emotional response to someone or something. We love our families, friends, and homes. We love our pets, hobbies, and vacations.
We love God.
But God tells us that love is so much more than just a feeling. It is a reflection of how we behave. And the people that work with you, and that you interact with daily, can see these visible behaviors of love in action. Or not.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Which behaviors of love are you consistently choosing to step into?
Patience…
Kindness…
Humility…
Selflessness…
Forgiving…
Honesty…
Protecting…
Trusting…
Hoping…
Persevering.
When might you fall back into offering your service without love?
In order to boast…
Or magnify yourself…
Or settle a debt.
I want to be a reflection of Jesus in how I behave. I want to love others, everyone in fact. In this, I’ve got work to do. I think we all do.
Will you join me in taking stock not just of when and how you serve…but also of why?
Blessings,
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1
Love always your posts. Congrats !
Thanks so much for your feedback! I appreciate your heart for servant leadership. Blessings on your day!
The platform of being a Servant Leader as a Spiritual or Religious Leader is critical in today’s society, where the structure of religion is a hierarchical paternalistic morass, steep in narcissistic profiles and behaviors.
Servant Leadership is the ONLY correct, fitting and proper mindset and resulting behavior for clergy, no matter which religious track one embraces. Servant Leadership is also INCLUSIVE of those that DO NOT fit the standard profile of religious leadership.
When Mathew 28:19 says: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
Embrace the work NOT the position. “Therefore, GO . . .” This is the call to reach everyone with a Servant Leader mindset and without discriminating based on gender, race, ethnicity or practice. The question is, Do you believe in God? When the response is “Yes”, then we are all on the same path of enlightenment as Servant Leaders.
Amen Greg! Thanks so much for your impactful insights into our call to be servant leaders! You are a true blessing to all those you serve. Blessings on your day.
Our Risen Lord supplied the needed message.
I use these messages to impact my team in our bi Weekly Tool Box Talks.
Today’s message from 1 Cor 13 came at a needed hour. It has brought peace and transformation to our team.
Thank you for impacting our teams lives…especially me.
David, thank you so very much for sharing how you use these messages. How impactful!! It truly is the Lord supplying what is needed. Thanks for your heart for Jesus and servant leadership. Your team is blessed by your leadership!! It is an honor and my privilege to know you! Blessings on the great work you are doing with your team.
“…taking stock not just of when and how you serve…but also of why?” The most powerful aspect of love is our why. What we do is only part of the story. The motivations (our why) changes everything. Thank you for starting an introspective and reflection process.
You’re welcome Jane. An analysis of our motivations can lead to deeper passion, relationships and impact. You are a true model of stepping into the behaviors of love! Thanks for the difference you are making in this world! Blessings on your day.
Great article — and very timely. Thank you for sharing such sound Biblical principles for leadership and life.
You’re welcome Janene. So glad you found this helpful. Blessings on your day!
Great message Mark! I’ve always believed that love is not a feeling but…an action word. The actions beget the feelings, not the other way around. Jesus loved those around him by performing acts of kindness and miracles. People loved Him because He first loved them. Employees are in tune to the actions of their leaders. If they feel loved and supported, they’ll love and support in return.
Thanks Mike. Couldn’t agree more with all you have said! You are such a blessing to all those within your sphere of influence. Thank you so much for your heart for servant leadership and the Lord! Blessings on your week.
Mark, thought you’d be interested to see this Servant Leadership article from SHRM. If the link does not work, let me know, and I’ll email the article to you.
https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/hr-topics/organizational-and-employee-development/Pages/The-Art-of-Servant-Leadership.aspx?utm_source=SHRM%20Friday%20-%20PublishThis_HRDaily__TEMPLATE%20(03.19.18%20DO%20NOT%20DELETE)%20(7)&utm_medium=email&utm_content=May%2018,%202018&SPMID=00317501&SPJD=01/19/1996&SPED=02/28/2019&SPSEG=Career+Builder&SPCERT=&spMailingID=34342041&spUserID=ODM1OTI0MDU5NDkS1&spJobID=1282096459&spReportId=MTI4MjA5NjQ1OQS2
Tom, thank you SO very much for sharing this article. It contains so many outstanding points and principles of servant leadership! It is so wonderful to see the practice of servant leadership getting this traction.
Wishing you blessings on all the fabulous work you are doing!!
Mark