Serving the Family Series

August 18, 2010

LEADERSHIP IS SERVICE

Scripture Reading--Luke 22:25-27

What does servanthood look like in a Christian Family?  The primary way is when the leader serves first.  Corporate America typically has a pyramid of service that places those to be served at the top and those who serve under the leader.  This model is unbiblical, Jesus said, "He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve" ( Luke 22:26b ).  In God's economy, serving begins at the top.

God gives us authority to use for the benefit of those whom we serve.  Therefore, the best servant in the family ought to be the father, and the choicest servant among siblings ought to be the eldest child.  Leadership is not a position to be enjoyed but a responsibility to be employed.  We express this responsibility through serving first--a truth plainly taught in Scripture.  ( See Rom. 15:1-2; 2 Cor. 12:15: and 1 Thes. 2:7-8. )  The leader serves first.

The second way a leader serves is by putting himself last.  See that the needs of others are met first.  Put yourself last intentionally.  Don't fight for the first or best place.  Seek the lowest place.  The flesh cries out against this because of fear that you will be left out if you don't fend for yourself.

Jesus taught, "When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room....But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room" ( Luke 14:8a, 10a ).  The more we practice this attitude of  servanthood in our families, the less stress we will experience in the home environment.  When everyone is trying to meet needs, a bulk of work isn't left for one person.  Zig Ziglar said, "There's no traffic jam on the second mile."  Leaders rise to the top through their willingness to serve.

ASSIGNMENT:  In you home, how can you serve first?  How can you put yourself last?

--Rick Johnson--