Most people would be insulted by the first question, and unsure about the second question. Jesus, however, tells us that we must be both! He said in Matthew 20:26-28:

“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”

“Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as [or just like] the Son of Man.”

Notice the flow of ideas word:
wishes great servant;
wishes first slave = Son of Man.

1. If we desire greatest, He heartily affirms that desire as good as long as it conforms to His will;
2. If we desire to be first, i.e., a leader of others, again He affirms that desire as good.
3. But, to be great and to be a leader requires a willingness to serve others like a servant or slave.
4. When we do that, we are following in His footsteps because we are just like the Son of Man.
5. Hence, every act of serving is an act of greatness and an act of leadership.

This completely turns upside down our cultural concepts of greatness and leadership.

Jesus was the “chief servant” and His kingdom is a “servant kingdom.” Serving others is why He created us and we are to do it in love.

In Acts 6, the first Apostles were teaching, preaching, and performing miracles, as well as serving tables. Can you imagine that? They were waiters besides being the first spiritual leaders. But, they were neglecting their primary service of praying and ministering God’s word to the people [verse 4] in order to serve tables. Consequently, they appointed seven others to serve the tables so that they could serve through their God-given gifts of leadership.

Let me ask you a very important personal question:

• Do you want to be great? God wants you to be great!
• Do you want to be first? God wants you to be first!
• Do you know how you can great and first practically on a daily basis?

Here are some examples:

1. Husbands find greatness in serving their wives.
2. Wives find greatness in serving their husbands.
3. Parents find greatness in serving their children.
4. Students find greatness in serving their teachers.
5. Employees find greatness in serving their employers.
6. Pastors and church leaders find greatness in serving the members.
7. And Christians find greatness in serving their neighbors, community, and nation.

The list is endless, but I think you get the idea. Learn these key principles:

• When we give up the right to be served by others, we are free to serve others.
• When we give up the right to receive from others, we are free to give to others.

In short, ever gift, talent, and ability we have is a grace-gift for serving and leading others.

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