Jesus was a great servant leader, but He was also the Son of God. Do regular leaders, those of us that are ordinary in our gifts and talents, have a chance to measure up? Every Christian leader has the spirit of Christ in them and will make a choice concerning how to live and lead, serving others or serving self. Read 2 Kings 4:1-5:19.

Elisha’s ministry to the widow and to the Shunammite and her son are obvious examples of compassion and servant leadership. The same is true of the incidents concerning the stew pot, the feeding of the hundred and the healing of Naaman, the leprous commander of the Syrian army. Clear parallels exist between these miracles and those that Jesus performed.

Elisha could have demanded some special loyalty, recognition or payment for his services but he chose to freely give and serve those who lived in his sphere of influence. His actions indicate he felt he existed to serve God and others rather than demand that he be served.

A leader can select from two fundamental but opposing orientations toward their organization. They can “take from” the organization as many perks and privileges as possible or they can “put into” the organization their passion to make it great and serve the needs of others. Those that “put into” their organization demonstrate by their actions the core value that God placed them on earth and in a position of leadership to help others live productive and satisfying lives.

Good leaders do good things. Servant leaders do great things. They help others’ lives to matter by serving them. Servant leadership is great leadership. Even leaders with average skills get to demonstrate Christ likeness to the world around them through servant leadership. Every time we demonstrate Christ likeness we do in fact become more like Christ, the greatest servant leader in the history of the world.

What is your orientation toward leadership? Do you feel the organization exists to provide you a title, job and status or is your passion to use your position to make the lives of those that work with you better and more satisfying through serving them as you meet your organization’s goals?