My friend, we are ending our four-part series on Godly leadership with a lesson that continues with the idea of being “others-focused.” In summary, our first three lessons in Godly leadership have been:
- Listen with a God-softened heart from Acts 15
- Encourage the dreams of others from Ruth 2-3
- Add value to people from Genesis 24
Our final lesson on how to be a Godly leader is found in Genesis 41. Joseph lived a life mired by incredible trials from being sold into slavery to unjustly cast into prison. In spite of these significant valley experiences, Joseph also had miraculous mountaintops that saw God entrust him with influence beyond his years.
The reason Joseph had these opportunities is because he recognized that, in order to be a Godly leader, he had to be willing to do for others what they could not do for themselves. Even more so, Joseph made himself available as a servant who didn’t look for anything in return. He was a problem-solver and God opened doors for him to solve problems on an increasingly larger scale.
Our scripture informs us in Genesis 41 as to what problem Joseph had to solve for Pharaoh:
“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it. So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Genesis 41: 14-16
The text goes on to tell us that Pharaoh shared the dream and Joseph did in fact interpret it. Furthermore, he did so in such a strategic manner that Pharaoh realized he had to empower Joseph to make the sure the application of the interpretation was successful. In an instant Joseph was given charge over all of Pharaoh’s empire; he had made himself indispensable and he was rewarded for it.
At just 30 years of age, Joseph was the second highest ranking leader in the entire land; a few short years before this, he had been sold as a slave. Talk about a comeback!
My friend, if you genuinely desire to be a godly leader, then you must do for others what they cannot do for themselves. Seek out those opportunities where you can freely give with no expectation of return, freely serve with without the expectation of being served, and freely bless without the expectation of being blessed. It is in the fully submitted posture of an others-focus that we discover how Christ himself led us. And that, my friend, is the practice of being a godly leader.
If you want to stay connected to who we are at EQUIP and ways we are evangelizing the world through Bible distribution and leadership training, then visit us at www.giftthebible.com and help us share the good news around the globe!
NKJV, Maxwell Leadership Bible
Bestselling author John C. Maxwell’s signature leadership principles are drawn straight from the Bible. This 3rd Edition of the Maxwell Leadership Bible brings those lessons together with the Scriptures, including brand new inspiring content, and a new a full-color redesign featuring NKJV Comfort Print.
Terence Chatmon
Terence Chatmon serves as president of EQUIP and the John Maxwell Leadership Foundation, which mobilizes Christian leaders around the world to share the transforming power of the Gospel. Before this role, he was president and CEO of another global non-profit, and he also held a number of senior executive leadership roles in large enterprises including The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson and Citicorp.
