In a previous article, we explored a fundamental distinction between the leadership patterns of the world and the way of Jesus.

The world’s way is for leaders to use people to build their authority.

The way of Jesus is for leaders to use their authority to build their people toward the purposes of Jesus.

Not all leadership comes with formal authority; sometimes we lead through influence, and our authority is unofficial and derived from that influence. But the critical point remains: authority is not something we are meant to build for ourselves. It is something entrusted to us for the good of others and for the purposes of God.

This perspective leads to a practical question: What does it mean to steward authority faithfully?

Jesus often spoke about stewardship. In several parables, servants are entrusted with resources that belong to the master. Faithful stewardship requires putting those things to use wisely, not burying them in the ground. Leadership authority can be viewed in much the same way.

Stewarding Authority

Like the “talents” in Jesus’s parables, our authority in business leadership is not meant to be hoarded. It is meant to be used faithfully according to the purposes of the master.

This is often counterintuitive in the business world. Some leadership examples subtly teach us to conserve authority, protect political capital, preserve influence, and avoid spending relational trust unless absolutely necessary. We may hesitate to use our influence because we fear losing status, opportunities, reputation, or future leverage.

Yet the kingdom perspective can be very different. Faithful leaders wisely seek opportunities to use their influence to build people and advance the purposes of Jesus.

Let’s Get Practical

In practical business leadership, this can take many forms.

• It may mean using our credibility to advocate for less senior employees who lack influence.
• It may mean spending political capital to protect someone from unfair treatment.
• It may mean giving away recognition that could have strengthened our own reputation.
• It may mean opening relational networks and opportunities to others rather than keeping them for ourselves.
• It could mean using budget authority not merely to maximize short-term performance, but to invest in people’s growth.
• At times, it may mean taking personal risk to uphold integrity, truthfulness, or kingdom values.
• Sometimes, it simply means making time for patient mentoring when efficiency would push us toward treating people merely as tools for productivity.

In each case, authority functions almost like a currency that can be spent.

Leaders may have only a limited number of opportunities to ask a favor from a senior leader, speak into a sensitive situation, redirect organizational resources, or influence a key decision. The question becomes:

Will we spend it primarily to strengthen our own position?

Or will we spend it to strengthen people and advance the purposes of Jesus?

Jesus himself models this perfectly.

At the Last Supper, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and says:

“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13:13–14 (ESV)

Jesus does not relinquish his authority. He uses it in service of others. His authority becomes a means of building, serving, strengthening, and preparing his followers.

As leaders in missional enterprise, we are called to follow that same pattern.

Verse of the Week:

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

And as we faithfully steward whatever authority has been entrusted to us, may Jesus be glorified, may people flourish, and may his kingdom increasingly come on earth as it is in heaven.