From the Handbook
Theme of the week: Leading with Love
Thursday, January 3, 2013
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8, NIV) Dig Deeper: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Basing the leadership behavior of an organization on the definition of agape love may strike you as a new or even revolutionary idea—and in the context of modern American organization practices, it is. But the inspiration for using agape love as a leadership principle actually comes from one of the oldest and most respected authorities on human behavior in the world: the Bible.
Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians is known as the "love chapter" because there the apostle Paul wrote: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Cor. 13:4-7, NIV).
This is agape—and these are principles that will transform your organization, from the bottom line to the bottom of your employees' hearts. Love is patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, and dedicated. How these words get worked out in the context of a successful organization may surprise you, but remember, they are never an excuse to ignore poor performance or neglect the bottom line.
—Joel Manby in Love Works
My Response: Which characteristics of love do I most need to work on?
Thought to Apply: Joy is love exalted; peace is love in repose; long-suffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in school; and temperance is love in training.—D. L. Moody (minister, evangelist)
Adapted from Love Works (Zondervan, 2012) by permission, New Year's Day: The One Year Book of Encouragement (Tyndale, 2010). All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.
Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Lord, in the situations where I am a leader, help me to submit my pride and ambition to you and lead with love for those who follow.
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