February 5, 2016
A Serving
Leader
Read:
1
Kings 12:1-15
Whoever
wants to become great among you must be your servant.— Matthew 20:26
In traditional African societies, leadership succession is a
serious decision. After a king’s demise, great care is taken selecting the next
ruler. Besides being from a royal family, the successor must be strong,
fearless, and sensible. Candidates are questioned to determine if they will
serve the people or rule with a heavy hand. The king’s successor needs to be
someone who leads but also serves.
Even though Solomon made his own bad choices, he worried over
his successor. “Who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they
will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my
effort and skill” (Eccl. 2:19). His son Rehoboam was that successor. He
demonstrated a lack of sound judgment and ended up fulfilling his father’s
worst fear.
When the people requested more humane working conditions, it was
an opportunity for Rehoboam to show servant leadership. “If today you will be a
servant to these people and serve them . . . ,” the elders advised, “they will
always be your servants” (1 Kings 12:7). But he rejected their counsel.
Rehoboam failed to seek God. His harsh response to the people divided the
kingdom and accelerated the spiritual decline of God’s people (12:14-19).
In the family, the workplace, at church, or in our
neighborhood—we need His wisdom for the humility to serve rather than be
served.
Dear Lord, please give me a humble servant’s heart. Help me to
lead and follow with humility and compassion.
A good leader is a good servant.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2016