Biblical Leadership: What Is Your Leadership Purpose?Sample

5. Help Others within my Company / Organization

With the basics behind us, it’s time to get to the “meat” of what the Bible teaches about your leadership purpose – and for this, we will draw closer to the words and teachings of Jesus Christ himself…

Jesus’ primary message was one of servant leadership – that being a leader means laying aside one’s own interests (or, in his case, his very life) for those who have been put under your care or authority.

This verse will help get you started thinking about how you might do this:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  – Philippians 2:3-4

Here, the Apostle Paul is telling us to put our own ambitions and pride to the side and focus on how you might help others.

That may sound easy, but it’s not. 

In the world today, there is an overwhelming focus on developing one’s own career to “be all you can be” – distorting the biblical principles of leadership development into something other than intended.

In case there’s any doubt on this, check this other verse regarding a focus on your own (selfish) ambition, appearing just ahead of the well-known passage about the fruits of the Spirit:

The acts of the flesh are obvious: … hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy…. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.  – Galatians 5:19-21

Serious stuff, even including a warning for those who pursue their ambitions for selfish reasons! 

Paul’s words in the prior passage to the Philippians is very fitting – in humility, look to the interests of others (those whom you may be leading) before considering your own ambitions.

On this basis, a key purpose for your leadership is that you humbly help others – especially those that you have been tasked to lead – to fulfill their roles and aspirations. Peter echoes this same thought in his message to the early Christians:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  – 1 Peter 4:10

And, as you serve those you lead, you help to make the promise written by the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament a reality:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

In this case, however, the promise is not about your future (although you may benefit as well), but for the future of those you lead. 

Helping them is your way of serving as the hands and feet of God himself!

A great purpose indeed!

Reflection / Application

1. Do you have an intentional focus on helping others develop and fulfill their work obligations at their work? How does that figure against achieving your own objectives?
2. Can you recall a time when someone leading you went out of their way to lend you a helping hand along your career path? How did that go? And, is that something you have ever passed on to others?
3. How does this purpose of helping others compare to the other purposes of providing for the family, supporting church & needy, and applying/developing your own leadership talents? Is it more or less important?