Real Leadership - Himalayan Heights – July 5 Readings: 2 Corinthians 12:14-21 – Parental Love

2 Corinthians 11-12: God is Strong in Our Weakness

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  2 Corinthians 12:14-21

The Corinthians were Paul's problem church. In chapters 11-12, he defended his apostleship and shows us the value of weakness and humility.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 27-28, Acts 8:1–25, Psalm 78:61–67, Proverbs16:25–26

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:   Real Leadership

I have read books on leadership, attended conferences on leadership, and heard lectures on leadership. Some applied biblical principles, others used corporate leadership principles and sought to foist them onto church leaders. Their value has varied greatly. In 2 Corinthians 12:14, Paul concludes his section on his apostleship and its contrast with the false apostles in Corinth with a nugget of truth that is perhaps the best piece of leadership advice there is.

I am not seeking what is yours, but you. 

A Christian leader is not primarily interested in what a person can give, but what the leader can give to them. We are to invest in people, in their eternal spiritual conditions, in their growth in Christ, and not see them as an investment in our lives. 

The key marker of a false teacher or leaders is that he (or she) uses the "sheep" for his own good, instead of leading them for their good. Jesus Christ pours himself into us, giving us his very life so that we can have eternal life and hope and joy and all the good things of eternity. Yes, he demands our obedience but he gives far more than he ever demands. 

Jesus differentiated how the "Gentiles" (worldly ways) did things. He said that it was normal in the world for rulers to "lord it over" their people, to use them, to oppress them, to grind them down to get whatever they want or need from them. But, he said, "not so with you." Christians with power and authority do not use those they lead, they serve them. 

It is not wrong for a man to gain his living from the church, but it is contrary to Christ for Christian leaders to use their people for selfish purposes, for financial gain, to build a social media platform, whatever. We must not lead for what we can get from our people, but what we can give to them. 

Father, help me to live this out daily and help our churches and people to discern those who walk in your way in this. 

Think and Pray:

When you are given power, do you serve those you lead, or do you use them?
Can you remember a time when a leader used his position of power for selfish gain instead of the good of his people?