We are dealing with the temptations that face us as Christian leaders in relationship to money.  The third temptation is to yield to the power that is inherent in all dealings with money. The apostle Paul warned his young colleague Timothy, “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) What tempts us is not the love of a neutral medium of exchange but the desire for the .

The second temptation, and one that is a natural product of the first is the seduction of tying our self-image and that of our organization to our financial status. This may seem less threatening than the first temptation, but beware. Consider the ways that organizations talk about themselves and measure success. While not-for-profit ministries may pride themselves on leading with mission-focused accomplishments, true success is almost always measured in financial terms. Pastors talk to .

Consider the following definition, “Money is any object that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally, a standard of deferred payment.”  In this functional definition money is amoral; a neutral medium for the exchange of value. It carries no .

Any Christian who has served in a leadership capacity knows that the position is dominated by issues related to money. We assume positions of leadership because of our passion and calling to carry out a mission, achieve a vision and accomplish significant work. Whether leading a for-profit company or a not-for-profit ministry, we come into leadership with our eyes focused on some other prize than the merely financial. However it is not long before .

When John the Baptist saw Jesus walking in his presence, he made the declaration, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  Most Christian leaders would say that in their hearts they would wish that Jesus would increase and they would decrease.  But it is hard to decrease in a leadership position.  There are natural trappings that distinguish those in leadership such as salary, title, prestige, priority, power, influence, honor and advancement.  And in each .

Every once in awhile a short, pithy comment hits you right between the eyes.  You know what its like.  You stand there, mouth agape and head spinning trying to make sense of what you just read or saw or heard.  I have been reading and thinking through the concept of the ‘waiting times of life’.  Andrew Murray has helped and also unnerved me in the ways he talks about waiting on God. It was .

We are looking at five implications for leaders taken from Philippians 2:7, where Paul tells us that Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”  Are we ready to lead in this selfless, sacrificial way?  If so, here is the fifth of five ways that leading in obedience to Christ will require of us that we become leaders of no reputation. Surefire Way #5.  Lead by waiting .

We are looking at five implications for leaders taken from Philippians 2:7, where Paul tells us that Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” Are we ready to lead in this selfless, sacrificial way? If so, here is the fourth of five ways that leading in obedience to Christ will require of us that we become leaders of no reputation. Surefire way #4 Defy success Perhaps .

We are looking at five implications for leaders taken from Philippians 2:7, where Paul tells us that Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”  Are we ready to lead in this selfless, sacrificial way?  If so, here is the third of five ways that leading in obedience to Christ will require of us that we become leaders of no reputation. Surefire Way #3   Don’t defend yourself .

We are looking at five implications for leaders taken from Philippians 2:7, where Paul tells us that Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”  Are we ready to lead in this selfless, sacrificial way?  If so, here is the second of five ways that leading in obedience to Christ will require of us that we become leaders of no reputation. Surefire Way #2  –  Tell the .