Virginia Head Coach Tony Bennet leads one of the nation’s best college basketball teams and is setting a worthy example. After his team’s NCAA National Championship, he turned down a huge pay raise for all the right reasons.

Bennet said he’s “blessed beyond what I deserve” and has “more than enough. Laurel and I are in a great spot, and in the past I’ve had increases in my contract. We just feel a great peace about where we’re at, all that’s taken place, and how we feel about this athletic department, this community, and this school. I love being at UVA . . . I have more than enough, and if there are ways this can help the athletic department, other programs, and coaches by not tying up so much (in men’s basketball), that’s my desire.” University of Virginia President Jim Ryan said, “Tony is one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met, and this is just the latest example.”

1 Corinthians 4 – Servant Leadership

Coach Bennet is the definition of a servant leader, as described by those who know him best. His humble, sacrificial attitude, combined with selflessness, provides his players with a worthy example to follow as he follows Christ. In chapter 4, Paul presents a servant image of Jesus to the Corinthians. They were divided by their loyalties to different spiritual leaders, and Paul reminded them that all leaders must be followers of Christ.

Paul urges the Corinthian Christians to imitate him (1 Cor. 4:15-16). This meant that Paul needed to live a spiritually worthy life for those who followed him.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete live exemplary lives that encourage others to follow them. They impart their spiritual values and the gospel to their athletes and teammates without hypocrisy. They walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls them (1 Thes. 2:11-12).

Bible Memory Verse – “Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: Follow the Leader.

Our featured book this week is from The Total Athlete Series, Book 2: Priorities (What Does It Mean To Live With True Priorities?). Written by Ron Brown and Gordon Thiessen

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