(The following is the July 11 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 1 Corinthians 4 and pay close attention to verses 1-2.)

People who work in different jobs throughout their careers encounter a variety of managers along the way. Personalities and management styles are as varied as the managers involved. We are blessed when we have excellent supervisors, but the workday can’t end soon enough under lousy leadership.

What do good and bad management look like? Many books exist on the subject, and they don’t agree in their advice. Concerning himself and other Christian leaders, Paul wrote, “A person should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God. In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful” (vv. 1-2). Paul understood his role first as Christ’s servant. His goal wasn’t to exalt himself over others or seek personal gain. Fortunate, indeed, are workers with genuine servant leaders above them who demonstrate that attitude daily in word and deed.

In addition to being a servant, Paul said he was a manager of the mysteries of God. Just as business owners entrust much to managers and employees, Christ entrusts to his servants matters of eternal significance. What we do with that responsibility impacts countless lives. Because all believers have a role in fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission, we each share the responsibility of managing the mysteries of God revealed to us in his Word.

Managers should be responsible stewards of people and resources entrusted to them. They should protect, guide, and encourage those under them. They should be willing to get their hands dirty doing the necessary work, setting an example for others. And they should do it all in ways pleasing to the one to whom they report.

May we all serve Christ in such a manner.

Next Step:
What have you learned from good and bad managers in the workplace? How can you apply these lessons in serving Christ?