02/23/2025
On this day in 2017 I gave a speech before my company on humility, service, and being a servant manager and employee. What better day to contemplate our servant role in faith, and the lessons that Jesus taught us in this regard than to do so right now. In fact it is always the perfect day and time to contemplate and speak about being humble, and serving others because this isn’t something we should do every so often, but in every moment of every day. Let's listen to the words Jesus spoke on this subject:
“For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”
Luke 22:27 ESV
Jesus came to serve, and He spent His life doing just that. He spoke again on the subject in the Gospel of Matthew, and in this scripture, we could actually substitute "the managers of our companies" for "the rulers of the Gentiles" as we read His words...
“But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."”
Matthew 20:25-28 ESV
I work in the healthcare industry, and it is especially suited for service and servants. What we do every day heals and comforts people, and in doing so we run into the handiwork of God at every turn. I am always amazed when new employees come into my company thinking it’s just another job... because it isn't... dealing with people at their sickest, in the hours before their eminent deaths, or most vulnerable, calls for the heart of Christ; it begs you to be a servant. Whether a doctor, nurse, administrator, manager, or just sweeping the floors... you are drawn to become a servant to all those around you and can feel how close you are to their very spirit and soul.
Jesus felt this every day and He taught us to not only serve the sick, hungry, or homeless, but everyone we come in contact with. I work for a hospital company, but regardless of where you work, or if you have a job at all, the call to servanthood is beckoning you. Paul carried this lesson throughout his life as an apostle, and in his second letter to the Corinthians he wrote:
“I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?”
2 Corinthians 12:15 ESV
So whether we are serving those in our family, church, or company... we are taught to do so in humility and kindness. As a child I was taught that "you catch more bees with honey." This saying reinforces the fact that people react to kindness, but I also found that occasionally your humble nature will be taken advantage of. When a person reveals their softness, there will quite often be someone who will attempt to exploit it... the shame is theirs, and even when being abused we are taught to forgive and trust in God. The scripture teaches us how to handle such occasions...
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:19-21 ESV
In this way, we are taught to be smart, and wise, but more than this we are instructed in being humble and serving others. Listen to Jesus and open your heart as He did His. In this we will feel His presence and just as we see to the needs of others, we will be given those things we need. So, are we serving others today? Is serving a part of our nature, or are we still learning how to do it better with each passing day?
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Philippians 2:3-7 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for presenting me with the opportunity to serve others every day. Father, I bow myself to you, and I seek to treat all those around me with the love and humility of Jesus. Protect me Father as I bare myself before those who would do me harm, for surly they will seek to take advantage of me and my kindness. Keep me as I sit at the table you have prepared for me "in the presence of mine enemies." Let all things work for my good as I serve you and those in need around me. Give me a disregard for my own benefit and safety as I trust in you and let me come to the aid of those who need to feel a touch from you. Lord, use my hand in delivering your warm touch of comfort, your firm grip of strength, and a gentle caress of love, but always remind me that in every instance I am the servant you have sent. Holy, Holy, Holy, is God my Father who sent you into the world to serve and save it. Holy is He who expects no less from me today. Praised be his name always, and in each act of serving that I perform, I pray that He is glorified. Father, I pray that you will use me mightily, but humbly, to do your will and in dealing with my employees, neighbors, friends, enemies, and every stranger I encounter. I pray that in this way you will be pleased with me and will pour out your grace over them and me alike. You are merciful and forgiving Lord, and I can perform no greater service than to offer forgiveness to others just as you have offered it to me through your Son Jesus Christ. Bring out the kindness and goodness in me and let everyone I come in contact with see this to be Christ in my actions… let this revelation bring out the best in them and change their lives and save their souls, even as it has done mine.
Amen, Amen, Amen!!
“But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 14:10-11 ESV
“Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.”
Psalm 25:8-9 ESV
Rich Forbes