A Leader who serves

A Leader who serves

Bible:Nehemiah 5:14-19

Those preceding me placed a heavy burden on the people . . . But out of
reverence for God I did not act like that (V.15)

Reading

A youth pastor was leading a group of teenagers on a short-term mission trip to a poor community in Peru. The nicest room available was given to the pastor, but he turned it down. When it came to doing the work, which included pouring concrete in the burning heat of the day, he didn’t stand under a tree and drink lemonade—he took his turn pushing the wheelbarrow up the ramp and shovelling out the concrete. He was greatly respected by both the Peruvian community and his youth group—because he joined in the hard work with them. When Israel was rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem—hard work to do when surrounded by enemies—their leader Nehemiah took his turn at both building and standing guard. Special food was offered to him as the leader, but he refused to accept it, unlike the leaders who had come before him. He ate from the same rations that were offered to everyone else (NEHEMIAH 5:18). Two options come with leadership: the temptation to serve yourself in your position, and the opportunity to look after the people you lead. Nehemiah chose to be a servant-leader, and it earned him huge respect. If God ever places you in a leadership position—whether at church, in class leading a project or in some other way—ask for His help to be a leader who serves.

LEADERS WHO SERVE WILL SERVE
AS GOOD LEADERS.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries