Servant Leadership Versus Entitlement

With what seems like a society spinning out of control, I wonder what has happened to the kind and gentle society I grew up in? I believe it’s still there, but has been pushed to the back by spectacular news of the latest variety.

As we walk through our daily lives we are given opportunities to be kind to those around us. As Christ followers, what greater example can we be than to show kindness when today’s society would dictate other wise?

Is it easy, no, is it necessary, absolutely! Christ followers turned the world on it’s ear in the early years of the 3rd century, not because of how many there were, but how they cared for the poor and downtrodden of society. They were doing a better job than the government with all of it’s programs and money.

John 13: 34-35 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Blessings

Servant Leadership Versus Entitlement
TGIF Today God Is First NextGen
by Charis Hillman Brown

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” -Matthew 20:26

I walked into the store toward the customer service counter and waited for a few minutes. I was next in line, but to my surprise, a young store employee walked right up to the customer service desk when the register became open and made a purchase. The cashier saw me and told the employee, who said something about the fact that there were two lines, and I was in the other one. I wasn’t about to fight with an employee for a place in line, so I let him go ahead. It was a horrible example of customer service, but a great example of entitlement.

There is a consensus in our world today that we are becoming more and more entitled. iPhones, iPads, iPods, personal computers, Facebook, video games, media, entertainment, and marketing have increasingly made it all about me, me, me! We think if we’re alive we’re entitled to success, happiness, or greatness. But this mentality is directly contradictory to what Jesus taught. It is in fact, in direct opposition to true success.

When I worked for a department store, it was our policy to do anything within our power to make the customer happy, even if it meant returning a used item. Related to how we think about others, Jesus made it clear to “love one another as we love ourselves.” That means doing to another what you would want to be done to you. And even more than that, putting God before ourselves and others. What would He want us to do? How would He want us to serve someone else?

If we are to make a mark in the world for God’s kingdom, we can’t live entitled. We must learn to live as “a servant of all.” When we learn this, often other things follow – such as financial increase and meaningful relationships.

Are you a servant leader? I pray each of us can find more ways of serving one another, and letting love be our ultimate goal.