Faithful Leadership: Lessons From Genesis
“The Lord God gave the man this order: You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; when you eat from it you shall die” (Genesis 2:16-17).
As Catholic women in business, we may run into the temptation to outdo our competitors, boast about the success of our work, or achieve notice. The temptation to take what we can instead of waiting for the Lord’s blessing in giving is the original temptation in Genesis. This same theme of “give vs. take” runs throughout the Old Testament and can shed light on the goal of our actual commissioning as Catholic leaders.
Adam and Eve: Self-Exaltation
In Genesis, Adam and Eve are tasked with the responsibility of having dominion over the earth and stewarding it responsibly. However, the second creation account depicts a tragedy: They break this dominion by eating from the tree that the Lord commanded them to stay away from.
Virtue governs how we use the knowledge we possess. The knowledge itself is not bad; the use Adam and Eve would make of it is. In the case of Adam and Eve, the question is whether they can exercise their agency in line with God—whose envoy they are supposed to be—or whether they will exercise it against God. Had Adam and Eve shown themselves docile to the divine command to not eat of the tree, then they would have become and revealed themselves to be precisely the kind of people to whom you entrust things.
The tree then is an invitation for growth—a test for the sake of helping the human person grow in virtue. God intended to “give” us the fruit of the tree, not for us to “take” it(Catechism of the Catholic Church 398). The consequence of eating from the tree is the rupture of the whole unity of creation. Adam and Eve’s desire for self-exaltation was at the expense of being with God; therefore, there is estrangement between man and God, man and himself, man and the rest of humanity, and man and creation.
Even after this rupture, God does not reject our vocation, but the things it constitutes are now difficult—for instance, how we restore the divine image in us.
The Tower of Babel and Joseph: Glorification
In Genesis 11, the Babylonians also struggle with self-exaltation. They want to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered across the earth, so they attempt to create a tower that reaches the heavens. Seeing their pride and ambition, God confuses their language, and they can no longer understand one another. Disunity abounds, and the Babylonians scatter across the world. Again, we see the theme of taking vs. receiving from God.
Genesis 37 introduces us to a character who needs great renewal. Joseph brags to his brothers about a dream he had in which they bow down to him. He gloats at his glorification, which fuels the brothers’ jealousy and resentment and leads them to sell Joseph into slavery. In Egypt, as a slave and, later, a prisoner due to a false accusation, Joseph is brought low, experiencing suffering and hardship that strip away his earlier arrogance.
When Joseph interprets the pharaoh’s dreams, he appointed him a key adviser, and Joseph’s primary concern becomes the welfare of Egypt. His ultimate test of renewal and humility comes when he forgives his brothers and provides for them during the famine. Instead of seeking revenge or asserting his superiority, he acknowledges God's greater plan, showing his growth into a compassionate and wise leader.
Take vs. Give
Adam and Eve’s failure to wait for God’s timing led to their downfall and the disunity of creation. As Catholic women in business, we are called to act ethically and patiently, trusting that God will bless our efforts in due time. The search for self-exaltation can also result in strained relationships and ethical compromises. The examples of Adam and Eve and the Babylonians illustrate how these actions can lead to isolation and disunity.
Joseph, who eventually becomes a servant to the king, parallels the call for Catholic women in business to practice servant leadership. His experiences humble him, teaching him resilience and dependence on God. Throughout the story, we begin to see the necessary role of suffering and how Joseph’s exaltation happens through his servant heart. Humility and service, not self-exaltation and competition, can lead to true success and fulfillment.
Catholic women in business should always trust in God’s providence. We should see our professional achievements as blessings rather than the results of taking shortcuts or engaging in unethical behavior. The vocation of the Catholic woman in business is to act ethically and patiently, and we are called to practice servant leadership, embody humility, and seek success through faith, aligning with the Biblical principles of giving rather than taking.
Sarah Appleton is a theology M.A. student at the University of Notre Dame. She has a deep love for academic theology and delivering the message of God and His teachings with grace. Sarah’s faith journey began with studying scholastic theology which eventually turned into the transformation of her own heart. She also has a degree in Journalism and is a freelance writer in her spare time. Apart from writing, she enjoys reading, gardening, homemaking, thrifting, long walks, and hanging out with her husband.