1st Corinthians 1 says so many things to leaders as well as subordinates in Christian organizations.
It speaks of calling and of wisdom and of foolishness and of power and of weakness and of arrogance—all of it which are related to leadership and those who follow.
First, 1:26 says that we are all “called” to be something different than what our world around us says we are. And that something is in a place of humility—
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
Wisdom to the world around is about power and self-satisfaction. But our calling from the God Who rules over the universe is one of humility. Our wisdom is not found in our worldly birth such as place of importance in an important family or corporation or any other worldly place of power.
Rather we are called to wisdom found in recognizing our humble place before God and man.
The Apostle Paul goes on to say that God does not call us because of those worldly standards of importance—strength, position of power, standing in our community. In fact, He shames those who think they are wise by the world’s standards through His “foolish” actions according to those same world’s standards.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
This is exemplified in particular through Jesus Christ who, despite being the One true Ruler, was willing to place Himself in those “powerful rulers” to be murdered. How foolhardy is that?
But because God has all the wisdom knew what that meant for His creation—a renewal so far reaching we cannot fathom it. He used what was seemingly foolish to bring about the greatest project of wisdom ever: the saving of His people and of His creation.
All of this getting up in the face of an arrogant world is intended to show that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
Leadership?
What does that have to say to your leadership?
Wisdom to lead well must be found in God’s principles. This is why I write this blog. I want to continually challenge all who think leadership is a matter of power and worldly wisdom.
The true wisdom that is found in psychology, business management, or any leadership training text is wisdom that is fundamentally exemplified in the LORD. And there are many, many principles that are indeed found in those areas of study that have their place in Scriptural leadership. In fact, those principles are sometimes more clearly deliniated in those halls of academia than in some churches.
Because, sometimes the church falls hook, line, and sinker for worldly wisdom that has no power.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV) For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”