For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is
to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. (I Thess. 2:4)

I recently read a blog about two kings, the first had inherited the throne from his father, and ruled
with the needs of the people in mind. He cut unnecessary budget items such as paintings of himself
displayed in public and spent the money on projects such as bridge repair so that disasters could be
avoided without increasing taxes. The people of the kingdom really didn’t know much of the work
done behind the scenes to keep taxes lower or the borders safe, so they considered him only a good
king.

The second king became king because the first died with no offspring. This king took advantage
of his position and really lived it up, paid less attention to the security of the border and let the
infrastructure go. However when a bridge collapsed or enemies invaded, he became very vocal
and public with his speech making and promises. Even though many people died in bridge
collapses and wars defending the border he was considered a hero and a great king by the people.

I thought about our motivation for service and leadership, is it so that people will call us great, giving
us accolades and recognition, or is to serve others and their best interests. Do we give attention to
the important details in private in order to avoid public disasters or are we the kind of person who
loves to come to the rescue in an opportune situation. Jesus calls us to be servants not heroes. To
Him greatness is found in what we do from our hearts in helping others not ourselves. Let us check
our motivation in all we do; is it truly to give God glory or to get some for ourselves?

I realize as a student of leadership that there is a great need for leaders who can lead organizations,
including the church, through change. Many of the books in my library hail the heroes of church
change and leadership. The leaders who have faithfully kept their organizations from getting to
the place where they need a hero often don’t make it to the pages of these books. These leaders
are not often recognized for their achievement, they are not flashy or provocative, they are simply
servant leaders who managed to keep themselves and their organizations healthy, safe, and out of
the news. These are what Jesus called the faithful and wise stewards, who may never get a reward
from man, but God will in due time recognize them and say “well done.”

Are we giving more attention to building our resume or the Kingdom of God?

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)