Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
First, there is a reward system for servant leadership that precludes the hope of eternality. It is operating in the season of NOW. The biblical story of “The Good Samaritan” is a great example of operating in the season of NOW. It clarifies this servant leader characteristics operating outwardly. Contrary to some belief systems, which is the view of self-preservation at the expense of others, this is not the teaching of leaders as servants. The teaching principles of Jesus define servant leadership characteristics and the rewards of it.
How Can the Reward System of “Now” Bring Blessings to a Servant Leader
Second, it can start with understanding who is your neighbor. Understanding the reward system of God is to connect and understand a place of compassion. Servant Leaders operate in compassionate leadership. Compassionate leadership is intentional, directed, purposeful, loving, kind and operates through faith in God. How does this happen?
Who is Your Neighbor? In the book of Luke, chapter 10, verses 30-37, (Luke 10:29-37,) a parable unfolds. Jesus gives an example. He illustrates how the actions of a priest; a Temple assistant and a passerby define “Who is Your Neighbor?
The Story Unfolds
Jesus said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to the city of Jericho. Robbers came out after him. They took his clothes off and beat him. Then they went away, leaving him almost dead. A religious leader was walking down that road and saw the man. But he went by on the other side. In the same way, a man from the family group of Levi was walking down that road. When he saw the man who was hurt, he came near but kept on going on the other side of the road. Then a man from the country of Samaria came by. He went up to the man. As he saw him, he had loving pity on him. He got down and put oil and wine on the places where he was hurt and put cloth around them. Then the man from Samaria put this man on his own donkey. He took him to a place where people stay for the night and cared for him. The next day the man from Samaria was ready to leave. He gave the owner of that place two pieces of money to care for him. He said to him, ‘Take care of this man. If you use more than this, I will give it to you when I come again. “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who was beaten by the robbers?” The man who knew the Law said, “The one who showed loving-pity on him.” Then Jesus said, "Go and do the same.
Who is the Real Neighbor?
Above all, who is the real neighbor? The one who shows mercy. Similarly, that is the one who will receive an award for the action of mercy. Such is the behavior that defines servant leadership characteristics.
Mercy
Yes, a servant leader is a good neighbor. The one who shows mercy will receive mercy. Matthew 5 : 7(NLV), ” Those who show loving-kindness are happy, because they will have loving-kindness shown to them.” Yet, how does one acquire mercy? Mercy is an intrinsic trait that comes from the action of love.
Even so, not all people in leadership positions have this intrinsic trait. Furthermore, this lack of mercy costs organizations, businesses, and ministries. It costs in valuable resources. That is why some Fortune 500 companies are exploring the teaching of servant leadership as a way of revamping their leadership programs. For example, how often do leaders miss the opportunity to show kindness. How often do leaders who strive to consume more power demonstrate less mercy or kindness as they climb the leadership ladder. As in this parable, how often do leaders seek to justify actions of injustice to qualify for positions of authority?
Compassion
Compassion is empathy. While the two leaders (priest and Temple assistant) may have felt empathy for the wounded man, they did have mercy on him. On the other hand, The Good Samaritan’s compassion moved to a level of mercy. Which do you think the wounded man wanted? Compassion or a level of mercy that saved his life. Mercy was a higher degree of this person’s compassion.
Scripturally
Ironically, the questioning of Jesus by religious leader(s) who knew the law, only highlights how leaders desire self-fulfillment. The knowledge of the law did not excuse his or any other leader’s actions. Rather, the failure to apply it equally and fairly was a failure of their leadership. The law says to love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, mercy that is given and based solely on those we love and those we choose to show compassion to, is not the measurement of Jesus. His reward system is based on an intrinsic gratification that pleases not self but pleases God. Finally, leaders who are servants of God walk in a reward system that allows not only a blessing for eternality but also in the season of NOW. For great is the everlasting reward. We suggest other blogs about mercy from our website and related book materials on #servant leadership. For more engagement, browse through: