Matthew 25 describes in great detail 2 views of stewardship. They might even be called "postures of leadership". Jesus tells the story of a ruler who left his belongings to his 3 servants before he departed for a long journey. The hope of the ruler was to find his belongings increased when he returned. However, upon returning from his journey he was filled with mixed emotions. 2 of the servants took what was entrusted to them and doubled their worth. However, one servant buried that which was entrusted to him and did nothing to increase its worth. The ruler was very displeased with this servant.
This story equates greatly with what we might find in leadership today. Every leader is held accountable for their responsibility as a leader. We have all been given gifts by which we must use for the purpose of building value. The way we view our leadership might be called "posturing". In other words, how we "carry" ourselves as leaders.
The Mismanager
One posture of leadership might be called "mismanagement". Mismanages are very easy to recognize. With their hands covering their face in disgust at their own mismanagement, they can't stand to even look at themselves. They've mismanaged their money, relationships, positions and their life. No one wants to be known for being a "mismanager". The Manager
A manager, by definition, is someone who simply maintains... they manage. Their goal is to keep the machine going. Because of fear, their highest possible achievement is to simple NOT crash. In the manager's logic, success is simply "getting by", "being balanced" and "not muddying the waters". Because no one wants to be a "mismanager", they settle for just being a manager. The posture of a manager is that of a man who is "balancing" his way through life... just trying to get to the other side without falling.
The Motivator
God has called leaders to lead. He has not called us to manage anything. Leaders lead and managers manage. Leaders are leaders because they are going somewhere. The really great leaders are always reaching for more. They are motivated by their vision. Their desire is to be used of God as an implementer of all He has entrusted them with. Taking what God has given them and bringing out its potential and value.
Much can be said about "mismanagers" and "managers". Perhaps the greatest thing that can be said about them was said by Christ in this story. Verse 26 says, "His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant...” May we desire today to be leaders and not managers.
