ICS Daily Devotions
Working Well With The Leader
Philippians 2:19-22: But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.
In order to grow, you must flow well with the leader you are following. Paul and Timothy were able to develop a very kindred relationship. Every leadership style has some strengths and weaknesses. But it is not only the leader with whom you need to get along, the leader also needs to get along with you. We need to overcome our mutual imperfections. Paul admonishes the church in Eph 4:11 that they need to bear with one another. Paul and Timothy were two different personalities. Paul was dominant while Timothy struggled with inferiority. But they were still like-minded. Timothy adopted the vision of Paul and had no personal agenda.
Could not Paul make 12 Timothys? It is difficult because there needs to be cooperation on their side, too. Paul mentions in verse 21 that “all seek their own.” For instance, Paul had no success with Mark in the initial stages of his ministry. He even parted company with Barnabas because of Mark. There needs to be synergy between the two, that is, the effect of two different components or people coming together to accomplish something that neither of them could have accomplished alone. It is like hydrogen and oxygen that are completely different components; nevertheless, they compose together homogeneous water H2O.
It is good to have different gifts! Otherwise the world would be very boring. Everybody is needed! Moses needed Joshua, Elijah needed Elisha, and Jesus needed the disciples to achieve their respective missions. Some people develop an appearance of loyalty, but inwardly they harbour ill will and rebellion. Defend and protect your leader. Loyalty is a vital expression of the love of God. Great attitudes are contagious. They inspire and encourage others. Look at the faithfulness of Joseph:
Genesis 39:2-6: The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.
Faithful people are responsible because responsibility is faithfulness to a certain task. God wants you to be industrious. Be internally motivated. One of the greatest joys and satisfactions of the leader is if those around them are motivated from within. Be a self-starter. Joseph’s master delegated everything to Joseph. He saw Joseph’s quality and motivation. After some setbacks, Joseph eventually ended up as the second leader of the whole country. He was faithful in “the little” in the master’s house and God increased it that he got opportunity to be faithful in “the much” in Pharaoh’s house. Let us keep the same attitude as Joseph and serve well our spiritual authorities.
Series: In Search of a Supportive Minister (Part 4)
