1 Samuel 8:11 (NKJV)
“And he said, ‘This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots.” (See also, verses 12-17)

Worldly leadership demands service, while godly leadership serves. There is a world of difference between the world and God’s kingdom. The people had enjoyed the leadership of Samuel, a godly servant leader, but they did not understand that if they requested for a king in the manner of the nations, the template would not be the same. That was why God had to inform them that the king they wanted would not rule as Samuel did. The king would take from them and their children to serve his own purposes and pleasure.

We, as children of the King of Kings, need never act like the world. In any opportunity we have been given to lead, let us lead as servants. Let us lead as Jesus did. Let us commit to give to the people and bless the people and help the people, and lift the people up, rather than take from them. It is sad to see that church leadership has bought into the leadership systems of the world today, and many leaders make unimaginable demands from their people. Many church leaders (not all) demand that the people give to them and serve them and make it compulsory for the people to bring their riches and properties, and valuables to them (leaders). They compel them, and this becomes a huge burden on the people. But Jesus was not like that. Jesus came to serve, to give Himself as a ransom for the people.

True leadership is giving yourself as a ransom for others. True leadership is concerned with lifting the burden off people. True leadership elevates the people, not oppress the people. True leadership is about the people, and not about the leader. If we will serve as godly leadership at whatever level, the watchword must be service and servanthood. Another watchword is giving and not receiving. If we keep these two watchwords close to our hearts, we will do well to serve like Samuel, and not like the kings of the world.