Why do you do what you do? The reason or motive for each action we do is very important to God. Our motives reflect our heart. Our hearts are supposed to be a source of life. “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. ” (Luke 6:45, NIV84) God always looks for pure motives. “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. ” (Proverbs 21:2, NIV84)
Leaders especially must examine the motives for ministry. It is very easy to fall prey to the excitement of leadership and forget that your job is to love and serve people. Paul shared the qualities of a heart motivated by love. “For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. ” (1 Thessalonians 2:3–12, NIV84)
Immature leaders or “wannabees” will use flattery to accomplish their purposes. They will say the things people want to hear in order to accomplish their agenda. This is a form of manipulation, control and witchcraft. God hates it. “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. ” (Romans 16:18, NIV84) Immature leaders will also put on a game face and never grow too close to the people they lead. They are experts at a mask that covers their hearts.
Godly servant leaders such as Paul are gentle. They look after the people like a spiritual mother or father. They care and they nurture. They love the people and share not only an agenda and a mission, but their entire lives with the people they lead. Godly leaders will toil and endure hardship for the purpose of blessing the people they lead. Godly leaders will encourage, comfort and help people to grow into godly followers of Christ.
I look around at people who want to lead in the church. There are many. Most people just want a title to validate themselves and their own insecurities. These people are false leaders. The will flatter those who follow them and try to destroy all who disagree with them. These people have no love for the people and do not hesitate to publically tear down another Christian if it will elevate their cause.
We must become leaders motivated by Love. We must serve people and then the Kingdom of God can grow.
