Just a Thought - Domination or Stewardship

"Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed." (1 Sam 2.3 RSV)

Characters that cross the stage of human history have woven into its stories qualities which betray whom they serve. In the Bible such men as Nimrod, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar and Herod the Great tell us by their actions that they do not belong to God even though they serve His purpose. People have striven to dominate each other; to rule and exert authority. They embodied this world's values of cruelty, oppression and selfishness and regarded compassion and mercy as weaknesses. They have promoted slave ownership, national and racial tyranny and brought untold misery and suffering to families, communities and nations.

Among God's people Israel, these characteristics were not unknown. Motives have not changed although methods of destruction have got worse. Israel, in their national life, had a wonderful opportunity to express the character of God and to demonstrate how His principles in a just commonwealth are logical and beneficial. Israel readily learned from their pagan neighbours the skills of acquiring power and wealth.

The song of Hannah reflects something of the tyranny of the rich and powerful over their fellows. Similar thoughts are expressed in Mary's song (Luke 2) and that was the atmosphere in which Jesus grew up.

He rebuked the 'twelve' for their ambition to be 'the greatest' (Matt 20; Mark 10 and Luke 22) telling them that they must not imitate worldly masters who dominate those 'beneath' them. He said that there must be no 'domineering' or bullying among His people. This was how this world's leaders exercise their authority but he warned "It must not be so among you" (Matt.20.24-28). Many Christian communities have disobeyed His command. The failure of Israel's leaders has been repeated to an even worse degree in the Christian church. Nor do we do need to look 'over the garden wall' at other people, churches or fellowships. Strangely, there are those who happily submit to the 'lordship' of leaders and they prefer to depend on human security. Wrong use of leadership power encourages worldly values and the fruit of the Spirit cannot grow (Galatians 5. 19-26). "Love is not possessive, it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance" (1 Cor.13.4 Phillips). The two human qualities that Jesus warned against most are hypocrisy and arrogance.

The truly godly leaders in the Old and New Testament were those who tenderly cared for God's flock. Those who spend much time in His presence are humbled and become like Him. Leadership has great temptations but real love for those who are led removes greed for power. Whether in the natural world of plants and animals or in serving God's people or indeed any section of society, the secret lies in working with people or nature and not dominating them to serve our personal interests. Leadership is a great privilege and carries with it the joy of sharing and teaching, of sacrifice and generosity, - and above all ‑ walking with Jesus everyday, He who was the greatest example of true leadership, He who was the good shepherd.

When the 'twelve' were bickering among themselves because James and John had asked for the most important place with Him 'in glory', He told them that the Son of Man came to Earth to serve others to give His life as a ransom. (Mark 10 45 RSV). Later in the Upper Room Jesus washed the disciple's feet as a slave of the family. He told them that He had set an example that they should wash each other's feet and do as He had done. (John 13.3-11 RSV) Oh that we might approach all things as Jesus did! He was always patient, gentle and totally motivated by love.