1 Thessalonians 2:5-8 Leadership

For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. [1 Thessalonians 2:5-8 NASB]

As Paul continues to defend his ministry, he addresses some of the accusations against him and his team.

He didn't try to influence them using flattery, and he wasn't after their money or their praise. In other words, he was neither trying to please the Thessalonians, nor was he trying to please himself.

As an apostle, Paul had the natural right to assert his authority. In the world, it was normal for a leader to display his authority for all to see. From Esther we read;

In those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa, in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princes and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of his provinces being in his presence. And he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days. [Esther 1:2-4 NASB]

But, for the Christian, this is not the way. Jesus said;

“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. [John 7:18 NASB]

True leadership isn't about asserting your authority. It is about becoming a servant. Jesus said;

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20:25-28 NASB]

Jesus is the perfect example of this. He was God. Paul said;

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, [Colossians 2:9 NASB]

As God, Jesus had ultimate authority over heaven and earth. But he chose to lead by example, and didn't assert His authority. Paul said;

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [Philippians 2:5-8 NASB]

Do you want to be a leader? Be a servant. Do you want to be a great leader? become as a slave.

Paul compared his ministry to the Thessalonians to a mother nursing her child. It is a tender and selfless act, motivated by pure love. When you lead, consider the attitude of the nursing mother, and act tenderly and selflessly toward those you lead. You are not their commander; you are their servant.

Father, I pray that you will give me a tender heart; the heart of a servant.