Matthew 23:11-12 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts him- self will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

You are a representative of the King. You are not the King. Don’t force your way into the spotlight. Don’t presume standing, and never try your hands on God’s glory.

Proverbs 25:6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

Spiritual leaders can become objects of ministry instead of sources of ministry … I’ve seen it happen. Elders, deacons or pastors who start expecting others to do things in their stead. Many pastors today favor the pulpit over the people. But a true shepherd doesn’t do his job from a tower, rather in the fields among the flock, just as Jesus did.

Matthew 9:10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.

The religious leaders of the time could only be found at the door peering in on the ministry taking place at that table. Do you want to stand out? Then step down and be a servant of others.

The word translated ”greatest” in verse 11 of Matthew 23 by extension means “abundant.” Do you want an abundance … an overflow of God’s blessings in your life? Then you should be pouring out from what God pours into your life. God brings increase to those who by faith give out of what they have been given.

What if one day your bank sent you a letter informing you that they have decided that instead of being a steward of your account, they are now the owners of your account? Yep, your response probably would not be peppered with so much grace. Yet how many of us tell God that very thing when we hoard His provision in our lives instead of giving out from it, whether that provision be money or love, grace and mercy … or even time? Live a life that stands out from the crowd by living a life of service. Be a steward of God’s investment in your life, not a hoarder.