The fast-food industry began nearly a century ago with the 1921 opening of White Castle, a hamburger restaurant in Wichita, Kansas. One year later, an A&W root beer shop sprang up, and the carhop concept came to life. In 1951, “fast food” made its official entry into the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. And by 1958, McDonald’s, a relative newcomer, had sold its 100 millionth hamburger.

In 1974, Burger King made a splash in the industry with a catchy new slogan: “Have it your way.” You might even remember the lyrics to the song:

Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce,
Special orders don’t upset us.
All we ask is that you let us serve it your way.
Have it your way.
Have it your way at Burger King.

After 40 years of encouraging customers to have it their way, Burger King upgraded its message in 2014 to say, “Be your way.” It was an attempt to appeal to the nature and hopes of individualism. Either way, it’s all about me. And the “me” mindset is the antithesis of the other-centered life Jesus has called us to live.

In his letter to the church in the city of Philippi, the apostle Paul described this other-centered attitude. From his words, we can sum up the spirit of servant-leadership in two phrases.

Step Aside so Others Can Step Ahead

Two mindsets dominate today’s culture: a selfish mindset and a scarcity mindset. The selfish mindset is all about what I can get, while a scarcity mindset is all about how much I can get and keep (because I’m afraid there won’t be enough for me). The selfish mindset is all about me, while the scarcity mindset is all about more.

The result of these mindsets is a sinful appetite. Paul referred to it in Galatians 5:13 when he said, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Set aside your status by taking up the towel and serving those around you.

How do we keep our sinful appetite from dominating our lives? We “serve one another humbly in love.” That’s the same truth Paul drives home in Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

What is Paul saying? Rather than having a selfish mindset that’s focused on me, and a scarcity mindset that’s focused on more, step aside so others can step ahead. The visual that comes to my mind is that of opening a door.

When you walk up to a door with a friend, a common courtesy is to open the door for them — stepping aside so your friend can step ahead. That same principle is true beyond the physical sense.

What would happen if you opened the door to God’s work by praying for someone else? What would happen if you opened the door to a new job by introducing somebody else to your boss? What would happen if you opened the door to a ministry by empowering somebody else with a new opportunity?

Each day, we have the opportunity to open doors for others. When we do, we’re stepping aside so others can step ahead. That’s where the spirit of servant-leadership begins.

Set Aside Status for Service

Paul pointed to Jesus as the ultimate example when he said, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:5-7).

Jesus — the Son of God — didn’t dip His toe in the pool of humanity and then jump back to heaven and say, “No thanks, I’ll stay here where I can enjoy my perks and privileges and position.” Instead, He became human, and lived and died as a human. Jesus set aside status for service … service that meant giving up His life so that we could have life.

When was the last time you set aside your status (your position, perks and privileges) so that you could serve somebody in need? If you really want to know whether you’re a servant, consider the words of the missionary pioneer Elisabeth Elliot: “The best way to find out whether you really have a servant’s heart is to see what your reaction is when somebody treats you like one.”

The spirit of servant-leadership can be summed up in two phrases — step aside and set aside. Become a door opener for others by stepping aside so that others can step ahead. Set aside your status by taking up the towel and serving those around you. That’s the spirit of servant-leadership.