Characteristics Of A Servant Leader

God’s first desire for your servant is your character. Jesus said,” The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord”. (Matt 10:24-25) Your character is far more important than what you do.

1. Humble

The fundamental servant characteristic is humble (Act 20:19). The servant must be humble before God in order to obey God, and must be humble before others to fit in with his works of service. Humble persons do not seek recognition for their work. They would rather advance the Kingdom than look good to others and see their work as part of a bigger picture.

Humility frees God to manifest Himself. Jesus was humble. Jesus’ friends were lowly, common people. He did not normally cultivate close relationships with influential people, although Jesus did not turn them away.

2. Obedient

The second servant characteristic is obedient. Obedience is an attitude which draws no limits on what the Master can order. True obedience is instant, not delayed. At times we need to question the voices that seem to speak to us or to give us commands. Once God’s will is known, the obedient servant does not question. “ To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (! Sam 15:22).

Obedience frees God to act in mighty ways. Gideon obeyed promptly when God told him to reduce his army of 32,000 to 300 (Judg. 7:2-7). The defeat of the Midianites was a great victory. God may require strange things as He did of Joshua at the battle of Jericho. (Josh 6:1-20). God’s grand intentions can be realized only when we are obedient.

Jesus was obedient. Jesus’ obedience was manifest throughout His life.

3. Willing.

The third servant characteristic is willing. Our service must be whole-hearted. Our behavior often depends on our feelings rather than our will. Feelings often are confusing. Only the will can be single-minded. Only the will can override our feelings. Continuing obedience cannot be a result of feelings, but of the will. Even when feelings are out of control, you can give you will to God. You are to do the will of God with “singleness of your heart” (Eph 6:5)

The will can exist in one of the three ways: weak-willed, strong-willed (self-willed) or God-willed. To be God-willed , a person identifies his will with God’s. Weak-willed persons too easily submit the will to others. Strong-willed persons are independent of God.

Willingness frees God to reward divinely. You are to obey with all your heart; “knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the reward of the inheritance” (Col 3:24)

Jesus was willing. The Father’s will was Jesus’ will. In the greatest trial of His life, Jesus remained consistent in seeking the Father’s will. “Thy will be done” (Matt 26:42)

Servant Leadership

Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant (Phil 2:7)
“From everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more (Luke 12:48)

At the center of the mind of Chirst is the servant mind. We have difficulty understanding the real meaning of servanthood. Many Christians are more concerned with the provision of privileges and personal rights than the joy of service.

Two Reasons for Servanthood

First, it is a command. Phil 2:7 tells us to think like Jesus, who “took upon him the form of a servant”. We are to think like a servant.

A second reason we should be a servant is because Jesus is our model. We become like Christ. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet before the Lord’ supper. Then He told them: “If I then the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:14-15). Jesus was not as interested in clean feet as He was in the disciples assuming servant roles.

God does not need our service. He does not need anything – our talent, our intelligence, our money, or our service.

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Luke 16:13)

Serving God and Others

Unlike the world’s system, in Christ’s kingdom servanthood is the key to greatness, not position or influence. Jesus explained Kingdom greatness:

Matt 20:25-28

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Greatness coming through lowly servanthood is beyond our comprehension. This part of Jesus’ teaching has not become a part of the attitude of most Christians. The last will be first, the least will be the greatest, and the servant will be highly regarded.

We serve God because He is supreme. He is the sovereign Ruler of the universe. We serve, not out of a selfish desire to become great, but because God loves us and commands us to love one another. Love serves others by meeting needs.