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In a culture that seems ever-interested in the promotion of self, to be a “servant leader” feels a bit countercultural, doesn’t it?
To be a servant leader is to put others before yourself in your leadership, and this seems to run contrary to a business world that prizes and promotes people who seek their own gain above all.
These days, the concept of servant leadership is becoming more widely respected and even celebrated in various business and corporate circles, even if its principles seem to fly in the face of a work culture that tends to celebrate self-promotion. But even if current business gurus celebrate servanthood as humble and compassionate in the modern leadership landscape, they can’t claim they created it.
In fact, we see clear examples of leading as a servant in scripture. What is the meaning of servanthood in the Bible? Let’s take a brief look before we explore some examples of servant leadership in the Bible.
What is the meaning of servant leadership in the Bible? Simply put, biblical servant leadership is a Christ-centered approach to leading others that prioritizes humility, selflessness, and the well-being of those being led.
The ultimate goal is glorifying God and advancing His kingdom. Servant leadership is, according to Scripture, really just Christ-like leadership. Servant leaders put others first and consider others as more worthy of care than themselves.
Here are a few key verses that encompass this idea:
Biblical servant leadership is a call to sacrifice so that others might live and thrive. This is what we see in the life of Christ, and those who hope to uphold an ethic of biblical servant leadership are held to this standard—a standard that can only be achieved by faith in the finished work of Christ and through the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
Who can we look to in the Bible as examples of servant leadership? Are there people who God used to demonstrate what it means to be a servant leader? Certainly there are, even if those people are very clearly not perfect.
So, other than Jesus, who are some biblical figures that demonstrate biblical servant leadership, however imperfectly? Here are five servant leadership scriptures and their stories:
When the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses demonstrated servant leadership by interceding before God on their behalf, even offering to have his own name blotted out of God’s book if it would save the people. This shows his selfless concern for those he led.
Servant leaders should be willing to selflessly lead people even if it costs them more than they’re used to giving up. This is at the heart of what it means to be a servant leader because it is the heart of Christ.
Joseph rose to power in Egypt and used his position to serve others. During a severe famine, he wisely managed resources to ensure that not only Egypt but also the surrounding nations, including his own family, had food. His leadership was characterized by wisdom, humility, and service to the needs of others.
Like Joseph may have been tempted to hold on to grudges against his brothers because of how he was treated, we may be tempted to not care for people we lead because of how they have treated us. Joseph shows us how to be a servant leader even when we’ve dealt with past hurt.
Before becoming king, David demonstrated servant leadership as a shepherd, risking his life to protect his flock from predators like lions and bears. This care and sacrifice for the vulnerable exemplified his heart for serving others. Later, as king, David sought to lead with a shepherd’s heart despite his own brokenness and sin (Psalm 78:72).
David’s sin and fall are well-known, and his role as a servant leader cannot erase his adultery and murder, but nonetheless he is a great example of how to show the humble heart of Christ in leadership.
Ruth exhibited servant leadership by selflessly committing to care for her mother-in-law, Naomi. Despite her own losses, Ruth declared, “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay” (Ruth 1:16). Her loyalty and service to Naomi ultimately brought blessings to both their lives.
Ruth could have gone her own way, sought her own well-being, and left Naomi to suffer and likely die alone. How might we emulate Ruth and her selfless love for her mother-in-law? She owed Naomi nothing, but she gave her everything. Our servant leadership should be characterized by this kind of gracious generosity.
Barnabas demonstrated servant leadership by encouraging and supporting others, often in the background. He advocated for Paul when the apostles were wary of him (Acts 9:26-27) and later mentored and partnered with him in ministry. His generosity and commitment to building others up earned him the name “Son of Encouragement.”
Servant leaders today should be encouragers like Barnabas. So much in our world can be discouraging right now, and Barnabas gives us an example of what it looks like to encourage others in our servant leadership.
Of course, none of these examples are perfect, as was stated before. They are great examples, but they pale in comparison to Jesus Christ—the archetype of the biblical servant leader. In Christ, we see the perfect embodiment of all the people we have explored here.
But, what challenges might we face as we try to lift a life defined by servant leadership? How might we be hindered or tempted in our efforts?
Living as a biblical servant leader is challenging because it demands a radical shift from worldly leadership values to Christ-centered humility and selflessness. At its core, biblical servant leadership is about putting others’ needs above one’s own, often at great personal cost—this is, of course, what we see in Jesus Christ. Such sacrifice counters the natural human inclination toward self-preservation, pride, and the pursuit of personal gain or recognition.
Servant leaders are expected to prioritize others’ well-being, sometimes foregoing comfort, time, or resources to serve. Jesus set the standard, saying, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Following this example can feel overwhelming, especially in a culture that glorifies power, success, and individual achievement.
Another challenge is dealing with criticism or opposition. Biblical servant leaders often face resistance because their approach contrasts with traditional power dynamics, and it can be difficult for the aspiring servant leader to handle this opposition with the heart of Christ. Nehemiah, for instance, faced hostility while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls but remained steadfast in his mission (Nehemiah 4:1-6).
Additionally, maintaining a servant heart requires constant humility and dependence on God. Pride and burnout are real threats, as leaders may struggle to balance serving others with their own needs. The Apostle Paul captures this tension, saying, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12). This is the sort of “secret” that can only be gleaned by spending time with God in his Word and in prayer.
Ultimately, living as a biblical servant leader is hard because it demands consistent surrender to God’s will and may require us to live counter culturally in some ways that are uncomfortable.
Servant leadership is always relevant. We see the ultimate model of servant leadership in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, but the need for servant leaders goes far beyond the harsh world of the first century. We need servant leaders today as we always have because the temptation to live and lead with personal interests at the forefront is as tempting as it's ever been.
If we want to devote our lives to the flourishing of our community, our culture, and the broader world, we must advocate for biblical servant leadership in our work, our homes, and our own hearts.
In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul reminds us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
May we lead with these verses in mind.
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