Have you ever heard of some CEO’s taking only $1 in salary? It happens. It does.
We tend to hear of all the abusers, but there are some really great leaders out there that sacrifice weekly. Many of them are small business owners that are struggling to keep their businesses afloat. Sometimes they pay their staff, but don’t pay themselves because they can’t afford to do it.
How do you lead? What do you sacrifice?
Service and sacrifice are marks of a good leader. Paul was a tent maker. He always or almost always paid his own way. Nehemiah is another example of a good leader.
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Nehemiah 5:14-19
Nehemiah had so much, yet the Jews had so little. He could not bring himself to add to their burden. He just did not want to take any more from them.
Did you know that originally the job of the Legislators – our US Senate and House of Representatives – was a part time job? No, they were not meant to live off that salary. They were meant to make the rest of their living elsewhere.
How about you? What kind of leader are you? Do you sacrifice when necessary? Do you take into consideration the plight of those around you?
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:12-15
Today’s challenge is to ask God to show you ways to be a great leader. Ask God to show you if you need to make sacrifices for those you serve. For example, is there a way that you can cut back spending and make a difference for your company?