Greater Knowledge, Greater Love, Greater Service

“ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

The title of this article says so much and is a reversal of the world’s thinking of leadership and service, especially in the academic and business sectors. If a person is more highly educated than another, then the thinking is that he or she would obtain a better job with more money and be in a position of greater authority. If unchecked, humans can be lured into wanting higher status, more recognition, and greater feelings of self-worth and identity, using others to get there.

This is not always the case of course, as there are many people who truly do have a great desire to use their talents in a more charitable way. But please believe me when I say, I’m not opposed to higher education or learning of any type, as many times it certainly does open doors of opportunity that would otherwise be closed, but I’m doing my best to put this in the context of leadership and the functioning of servant/leaders in the church today.

I have believed for a long time now, that the more you know about God; His love, His care, His grace, His mercy, His faithfulness, and His kindness (to name a few) then correspondingly this type of fruit would abound in a person’s life, and that service opportunities would supernaturally arise. 

Unfortunately, this is not always what happens. The desire to “climb the ladder of success” can drive people to act without compassion or love for their fellow man and as we know, the lure of power can be an unwieldy beast.

As we have “all” experienced at times, when a leader or someone we held in high esteem did not function in a loving manner towards us and/or our situation, the consequential wounds that were inflicted could have and did change the direction and purpose of an individual’s life and ministry.  I have witnessed this personally and it is not pretty.

How did Jesus describe leaders in his day and time? Well, the disciples were always at one another as to who would be the greatest and yet Jesus’ answer is so simple.

Matthew 20:24-28 KJV

²⁴ And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.²⁵ But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.²⁶ But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;²⁷ And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:²⁸ Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Matthew 20:24-28 Amplified Version

²⁴ And when the [other] ten heard this, they were resentful and angry with the two brothers. ²⁵ But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them]. ²⁶ It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your [willing and humble] slave; ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].”

Luke 22:24-27 KJV

²⁴ And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.²⁵ And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.²⁶ But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.²⁷ For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Luke 22:24-27 Amplified Bible

²⁴ Now a dispute also arose among them as to which of them was regarded to be the greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ ²⁶ But it is not to be this way with you; on the contrary, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest [and least privileged], and the [one who is the] leader, like the servant. ²⁷ For who is the greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Without belaboring the point, leaders in the church are servants. Gift ministries in the church are there at the foundation to build up and instruct others to a more worthy endeavor. Kind of hard to function incognito and be an effective minister in our service, right?  Yes, that is certainly true, but as humble servants, we are in charge of our own thoughts, and we can choose what to believe and how to act.

If you have been blessed with a greater knowledge of God, then allow yourself the joy of embracing greater love and expect to see greater supernatural service opportunities.

To God be the glory!!

“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.”

-Corrie ten Boom