August 15, 2022
Add Value to Others
Beloved one, the greatest among all of us are those who serve! It doesn’t matter if you are a teacher, pastor, prophet, evangelist, apostle, on prayer team, worship team, armor bearer, janitor, cook, organizer, wife, husband or if you do lawn care you are serving others. No matter what your role is in the body of Christ we are all called to serve one another. (Matthew 13:11) Think about those who have served you during your life? My mother would be the first person that comes to mind. She served tirelessly from my birth to adulthood. Christlike servanthood leaders are motivated by love to serve others. (John 1:1-2) When you have a heart of serving others you are adding value to them. Servanthood is not about a position, skill, or gift. It’s an attitude!
Leaders are always finding ways to add value to others, and the number one way they do it is by serving them. Jesus our Savior modeled it, He was also the greatest servant of all time. When the disciples booked the Upper Room for the Passover feast, they forgot about obtaining the services of a servant to wash feet at the door. It was a custom to do that! The interesting thing is the disciples realized no one was there to wash their feet and not one of them volunteered for the job. They were too busy arguing about who was the greatest. When Jesus saw this, He decided to make this a learning lesson. After supper, He stripped down to a garment around His waist. He got a basin, filled it with water, a towel and began washing the disciples’ feet. As He interacted with His disciples there were several life lessons about serving and adding value to people.
1. Christlike Servant-Leaders are motivated by love to serve others. (John 13:1-2) Jesus’ love was unconditional. Love made Him serve His disciples, including Judas who was about to betray Him.
2. Possess a security that allows them to serve others. (John 13:3) Jesus knew who He was and was secure enough to get down on the floor and wash His disciples’ feet. He had nothing to prove, nothing to lose or nothing to hide. He didn’t need a title.
3. Initiate Servant-leadership to others. (John 13:4-5) Jesus didn’t wait for someone to clarify protocol. He saw a need and met it. No one else volunteered to do the job, so Jesus turned His actions into a life lesson for the disciples, and He started something to in hopes it would be passed down from the disciples to others. (John 13:12-15)
4. Receive Servant-Ministry from others. (John 13:6-7) A Servant’s heart will expose pride in others. Peter had a hard time allowing Jesus to wash his feet and serve him. He still possessed the mindset that someone of Jesus caliber should never stoop to wash feet. Sometimes leaders must learn to allow others to serve them. Jesus was asking Peter to sit and allow Him to serve him.
5. Want nothing to hinder their relationship with God. (John 13:8-9) Peter moved from one extreme to the other. If Jesus was going to wash his feet, he didn’t want to miss a thing He might do, He wanted Jesus to wash his entire body. He showed a great attitude here, if Jesus was giving away, He wanted to receive all He had to give.
6. Teach Servanthood by their example. (John 13:12, 15) Afterward Jesus discussed the meaning of His washing their feet. He reminded them that the Master and Lord had just washed their feet, so no position should prevent them from doing it for someone else. He wanted the disciples to know if the Master washed their feet, they ought to imitate Him. His example was more powerful than a teaching, actions speak so much louder than words.
7. Live a blessed life. (John 13:16-17) Jesus reminded the disciples they were blessed if they obeyed Him in this lifestyle. The greatest blessing follows those who step out by faith and do the opposite of what the world is doing. God blesses those who do something for others without expecting anything in return.
When leaders serve, they add value to those whom they are serving. It may look like making someone feel special and loved, or a word of encouragement. A good habit for you as a leader to add value to everyone you meet by:
1. Putting others ahead of your own agenda.
2. Develop the confidence and security to take risks.
3. Perform small acts anonymously.
4. Learn to walk slowly through the crowd.
5. Begin your day by reflecting on the love you have for others in your life.
