The value of Power (Pioneer Business)

In a series of articles, the Pioneer Business team have been introducing the values of their community and gathering people to explore each principle through monthly zooms. If you would like to receive their updates directly to your inbox and join their events, subscribe to their email list here.

Power

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 ESV

We are inviting members of Pioneer Business to commit to using our positions and influence to empower others: at work to create pathways for those who have fewer opportunities and choices, even at our own cost; at home to honour people created in the image of God by setting a pattern of humility and servanthood; and at church to elevate others to use their gifts and voice.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as his witnesses. Part of our witnessing is in the example we set when exercising that God-given power.

Bible dictionaries define biblical power as the ‘ability to act, by virtue of strength, influence or authority’. We may not feel particularly strong, influential or authoritative, but each of us, regardless of our position, role or status, have been entrusted with spiritual power.

Let’s unpack how God-given power works.

So often when we think of power it raises up negatives that taint our view of real godly power, and the characteristics I listed have been twisted. Authority has become a mistrusted concept in our individualistic self-centred culture; strength evokes images of dominance; influence has been tainted the self-serving actions of those carrying the title of ‘influencer.’ Sadly, with too many stories in the media recounting abuses and manipulations of power, including in the church, it makes it difficult to explain the difference between worldly power and god-given power.

This confusion makes it all the more important to define the two.

Worldly power looks to ‘climb the career ladder,’ or sit in an ‘ivory tower’ making decisions with no consideration for others that establish our authority or consolidate our position. There’s no place for godly humility, which might be seen as the antithesis of power. As a result, we might be tempted to avoid all responsibility for fear of falling into worldly power.

…Except it isn’t power that God opposes, but pride.

When on trial before Pilate, Jesus lets us in on a fascinating truth. In John 19:11, he tells him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” As with all worldly power, the authority that Pilate wields has a source - and that source is God.

Power comes from God. You can see this in Isaiah 40:29, in Luke 9:1 (when Jesus sends out the twelve) and again in 2 Timothy 1:7. Acts 1 is a demonstration of how coming under God’s authority leads to an empowered life, to live as witnesses of Jesus - even if you view your strength, influence and authority as ineffective or irrelevant. Power is given! Simply being found in Christ and living a life surrendered to him means you have received power.

As we rise into positions of authority, strength and influence, the challenge is this: how do we not remove God, the giver of power, and replace him with ourselves? How do we resist pride, and the temptation we all face to think our position, status and role is somehow deserved or earned, rather than a gift from God?

So - how do we exercise godly power?

Jesus helps us by painting a very different picture of what it looks like to exercise godly power. In Matthew 20, as the disciples jostle for position, he makes this extraordinary statement:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Matthew 20:25-28 ESV

In this interaction we see Jesus turning the worldly perception of power on its head. Greatness is not about climbing up to the top of the ladder, but climbing down the ladder to lift up others.

Godly power is sacrificial serving, not self-serving.

That said, don’t be tempted to think that Jesus is advocating for us to drop to the bottom of the pile and never rise up into positions of power. Think of it more as Jesus challenging us to get our hands dirty and pitch in where necessary.

In the business I run with my wife we work with lots of contractors and look to help those who struggle to find consistent work. We’re in the process of launching a property maintenance business, through which we hope to create opportunities to provide them with contracts and regular maintenance work. It’s a simple way of recognising the skills that people have and empowering them to take steps of faith and build businesses that reflect God’s heart with those skills.

Take a moment to reflect on what authority, strength or influence you have in your home, workplace or church community.

How could you sacrificially serve others, rather than serve your own position or status? Who are the people around you that might need a little help, encouragement or some more intentional lifting up? No matter your position, you are empowered by Christ to serve those around you.

We invite you to further explore the topic of power with us.