Servant Leadership is a principle that God honors and we have evidence of it throughout the Bible. During our “Meet and Greet” Networking Event at Second Baptist on Friday 9/10/2010, I had an opportunity to share 4 principles of servant leadership that are outlined from a scripture in 2 Kings 7:3-20 (link below)
http://www.biblestudytools.com/2-kings/passage.aspx?q=2%20kings+7:3-20
An overview of 2 Kings 7:3-5
Current state of the land - There was a famine in the land
Current condition of the men - There were four (4) men with leprosy. As a result of their leprosy, they were considered outcasts and were forced to live outside of the city. It looked like death was their destiny. When you read about a famine in the bible, it makes you think about our current economic situation. This is one of the reasons this scripture caught my attention.
Their Strategy – The lepers begin to reason among themselves that if they stayed outside the city, they would die, if they returned to the city (which was also overwhelmed with the famine) they would die; but if they went to the camp of the enemy, the enemy might have mercy and they might live. They went to the camp of the enemy.
PRINCIPLE 1 - In spite of the bad news that you might hear, in spite of your past you should decide to do something positive to move closer to your goal. You should put action to your decision and start to experience your vision. InHouston gives so many great avenues of taking action through servant leadership and paying it forward.
An overview of 2 Kings 7:6-9
Current State of the Enemy’s Camp – When the lepers arrived at the camp, it was abandoned because God had caused the enemy to hear horses and chariots and they believed that they were being attacked. The enemies fled from the camp and left everything behind including food, gold, silver and clothes.
Current condition of the men – When the lepers arrived at the camp and realized that the enemy was gone and that all the food and riches had been left behind, they begin to eat to their heart’s content and hide the gold, silver and clothes.
Their strategy - As they discovered that the other tents had more food and riches they ate and hid more. They began to reason and say among themselves that it was not right that they continue to enjoy the treasures and not share it with those in the royal palace.
PRINCIPLE 2 - This is a great example of servant leadership. As you and I encounter great opportunities, we must think of others and be ready to share. We must ask how we can help. I always want to follow our Lord’s command to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
An overview of 2 Kings 7:10-11
Current State of the Palace – The lepers went to the royal palace and told the gatekeepers about the great treasure that they found. The gatekeepers shouted to those in the palace.
Current condition of the men – They were not allowed to go pass the gatekeepers.
Their strategy – Although they were considered outcasts, they put action to their plan and brought the good news to the palace
PRINCIPLE 3 - When you think about the negative connotation of lepers, you wouldn’t typically think of the lepers bringing good news to the “royal palace”. This clearly shows us that we must put aside any preconceived notions of how the opportunity will come to us. I think we can summarize this and say that we can’t put God in a box. You must know that He honors Servant Leadership in His own way.
An overview of 2 Kings 7:12-20
Current State of the Palace – Some in the palace believed and others doubted. The king even doubted.
Current condition of the men – The four men had completed what God had called them to do
Their strategy – Continue to share the good news
PRINCIPLE 4 - We should be good stewards of the things that are given to us by our business friends. Send a Thank You note to those who help you; follow up and keep the person who gave you the referrals informed of the status of your contact. Continue to be a servant leader in spite of those who do not believe (even if it is someone in an executive position). God honors servant leadership and he will honor you.
I want to put these principles into practice by saying a big “Thank You” to Eric Standlee for helping me get the first “Meet and Greet” at Second Baptist organized and getting the information out to everyone. It was a great meeting but would not have been the same if Eric had not been willing to be a servant leader. Thanks, Eric!!
I also ant to thank Second Baptist for providing the facility and allowing us to continue to meet there every 2nd Friday of each month. Please join us at the October "Meet and Greet". The link to the October event is below:
http://inhouston.ning.com/events/meet-and-greet-networking
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