Authentic Kingdom Culture: Power!Sampel

Legitimate, Coercive, and Reward Power

These three types of power typically go hand-in-hand. For example, when you have a position of authority in the workplace or church (legitimate power), you automatically receive the power to suspend, demote, or fire people working under you (coercive power) and the power to give them time off, rewards and bonuses (reward power).

Watching the interplay of these types of power in the book of Daniel is interesting. Let's take up the story from the point at which Daniel successfully interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter two. In response to this amazing feat of brilliance, the king appoints Daniel as ruler over the whole province of Babylon, chief over all his wise men, and rewards him with many valuable gifts. Daniel is flying high now!

I bet if we received as much legitimate power in our day as Daniel did in his, we would get to work legislating the morality of the people! We would begin to implement policies in line with our Christian beliefs and morals, but that is not God's way. God doesn't want coerced converts. It didn't seem like this thought even crossed Daniel's mind, though. As far as we can tell, the kingdom's policies did not change too much with Daniel's promotion.

Eventually, a new king came on the scene - Darius. King Darius was equally impressed with Daniel and planned to make him ruler over the entire empire. However, the administrators and high officers would have none of it this time. They hatched a plot to get rid of Daniel once and for all. We know the story. They tricked the king into making a law that threw anyone who worshipped any other god besides the king to the lions. They used all of their referent, expert, and legitimate power against Daniel. What did Daniel do? Nothing. He did not use his power to fight. He didn't make a defense, start a petition, or outsmart the officials with legal gameplay. He prayed, accepted his sentence, and depended on God.

Daniel's refusal to use his power to enforce his will on others or fight for his rights is a master course on the use of power we can all learn from. When we have positions of authority, what will we do with the power? Will we use it to Christianize the unbelievers? Will we use it to fight for our 'rights'? Or, will we instead choose to demonstrate the love of God humbly?