Being a Servant Leader: Offering our First Fruits (part 5)

Bottom Line

Besides the biblical command to care for the “least of these,” scripture also directs us to lead by offering our “first fruits.” In this way, we become a servant leader and example for others.

Takeaways

The rich man (in Luke 12:16-21) hoarded his treasure in barns, but then his life was taken from him. Keeping his fruit fruits to himself did him no good.

On the other hand, Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac. This was a test of Abraham's faith and loyalty. In the end, because Abraham was willing to offer his first fruits, all of humanity was blessed.

We see the same example in the feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. The Virgin Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, offered Mary to God when she was only three. She went to live in the Temple and be raised by the consecrated virgins. Because Joachim and Anna were also willing to offer their first fruits, the world was blessed when Mary became the Theotokos, the one who bore God.

As servant leaders, we also are called to offer our first fruits to God. Through our offering, we can be a blessing to others.

Wrapping Up

As Christians, we all called to walk the Way by being servant leaders.

As learn our Bible, cultivate an awareness of what it’s saying, and put ourselves under its authority, we realize that it’s calling us to care for the least of these and to offer our first fruits.

On the the night that Jesus was betrayed, he became the ultimate example of a servant leader.

First, by washing his disciples feet—a job that was reserved for slaves—Jesus summed up his entire ministry. To be first in the kingdom, you must became last, serving your neighbor like the Good Samaritan.

And, secondly, he showed us what it means to offer our first fruits by allowing himself to be betrayed, mocked, and crucified. For us, he offered his life … God’s first fruits.

Now, we’re called to follow Christ. We’re called to serve the least of these in our own communities. And, we’re called to offer to God our own first fruits, the best we have to offer.

By doing this, we’ve truly become servant leaders who know how to walk the Way.

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