Feed the flock of God, which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3 KJV
The highest opportunity that exists in life is that of the minister of the gospe! A choice servant of God called upon by God Himself and given the divine task of placing the eternal bread of life (the word) within the reach of thousands of His chiidren. This is the highest trust a human being can ever be considered for here on earth. This level of trust carries with it grave implications.
First to note is the relationship that must exist and be very cordial between you and the owner of the flock. You must not be a stranger. You must be an insider and not an outsider. Someone the Master knows well and trust. One in whom the Lord has confidence in. Someone who will not give poison to the flock. Your interest in the flock must be above your own personal interest. Your love for the flock of God must be exceptional in every way and be clearly demonstrated both privately and publicly.
Secondly, you must not be a novice. You must be well informed, trained in the kingdom life, properly armed with the wisdom and knowledge of this Christian life. Equipped with the relevant approved and acceptable techniques of tending the flock. Know what the owner of the flock wants for his own flock. This gives you the privilege to be acquainted with the Chief Shepherd on a personal note.
Thirdly, the person trusted with the responsibility of feeding the flock of God must know where to collect the food for the flocks. The pasture for the flocks is in the hands of the Chief Shepherd alone. You must not give the flock anything less than the fresh grass meant for the flocks, and also in due season. You must know clearly what they will eat and when they will be given their due portion of the food.
Lastly, you must not be a hireling. Hired shepherds may not be so patient with the flocks. They may give up on the flock easily. They may care for their lives more than that of the flocks. This attitude may make you a truant before the Chief Shepherd. Many so-called shepherds get punished rather than being rewarded.
The shepherd role of the pastor keeps the door of heaven opened each time you come to collect food for the flock of God. This guarantees your unhindered access to the Master where the right food is obtained for the flock. Therefore, there is no excuse acceptable as to why the flock will not have the good and right food to eat. Pastoring also requires patience with the flock. Not all eats at the same time the food is ready. Some may have an appetite problem. Some of them have been poisoned by other hireling before, so they are careful now whatever is given to them. Some have never been used to the correct food, so changing may take time. All these only requires that a pastor will study carefully and patiently the flocks he/she is feeding and ensure they are given due attention.
A shepherd is not to feed ON the flock. Don’t make the flock your food. They are not your own. Don’t take from them but give them to eat. Don’t quickly cast your eyes on what you can get from the flock. That will amount to an evil heart. Always think of what to feed them with not what to collect from them. A good shepherd first invests consistently (Pro. 27:23-27). There is something to take from the flocks but taking is not your first duty. Feeding the flock must be and remains your priority.
THE FLOCK OF GOD.
The ownership of the flock is a very sensitive matter. The tendency to think the flock is yours is high. This can lead you to handling them the way you feel but it’s not your flock, it is the flock of God. He alone decides what happens to the flock. Him alone must you take directives from on daily basis. Him alone must you consult for every matter involving any of the flock. He alone has every right over each of the flock. Don’t assume about anyone without due clearance from the owner.
The positioning of the flock very important to take note of also. The flock of God located among us not under. What makes this positioning very crucial is because of the tendency to think that you are above or on top and the flock is under. It is not so. Being among the flock is the only position that affords you opportunity to know the flock well, observe their state, watch them individually and attend to their specific needs. This helps you not to be isolated from them but properly integrated among them. This positioning creates friendliness and enhances correct relationship. You are not boss over the flock of God. Who are you to be a Boss? on what grounds? What are your own credentials in the place? Think about this.
TAKING THE OVERSIGHT
This literally shows that your sight spiritually is superior to that of the flocks. As you lead them, your sight determines their own sight. They can only move based on your own movement and directions. Your sight ought to be over theirs. It is you that decides where to go, when to go and how to go wherever. So much depends on you as the leader of the flock. You set the pace for them. You are the standard they measure themselves with. You are the “God” they first know. The flock can never be ahead of the shepherd. Your life is their set standard. They will take after the leader. Your height is their height. Your prayer life is their standard in prayer. Your consecration is the limit for their own lives. If you are blind, they will all follow blindly into a ditch. Kindly check your own sight now. Yours determines theirs.
NOT BY CONSTRAINT
Don’t serve the flock as if you are forced to do so. It is not by compulsion at all. God will never force a man to work for him. Our Chief Shepherd is not a tyrant, He is not a task master. He is loving. He deals with us as we are willing to go with him. He forces no one. Don’t react against the flock as if you were forced to serve. If God the owner of the flock did not call you, quietly pack your load and go away. Don’t serve against your will. Don’t transfer aggression upon the flocks. …
BUT WILLINGLY:
It takes a willing heart to submit to the Chief Shepherd as a pastor and lovingly tend the flock. Willingness will motivate you to love and care for the flock and give yourself fully for it without complaining or murmuring. If you serve God out of your personal volition, the wellbeing of the flock will be uppermost in your heart.
NOT FOR FILTHY LUCRE
Hirelings are always looking out for what they eat or get out of the flocks of God. The welfare of the flock is not their highest interest at any time. Theirs is about themselves. If a hired pastor visits a member, his eyes are on what to take home even if the Spiritual state of the soul is critical. He is not likely to see that side, but he sees what to carry home for himself. If a hired preacher will pray for you, then something must come out of your pocket first. He is not bothered about who answered the prayer, or worse still, whether the prayer is even answered at all.
Hired preachers take money before they counsel you or pray for you. It appears majority of preachers today are in this category. Even if a resident pastor did not win a soul for a whole month, his Salary must come to him intact and on time. Hired pastors have taken over the church of God. Hired pastors insist on postings to only city congregations even if it means to pay bribe to get it done. What is the hope for such flocks under the heavy yoke of a hirelings? Members who can afford to pay their way financially are labeled “serious members”. Are you a hired preacher? Are you excited about repenting souls in the congregation, or the number of cars parked outside your Church Hall?
NEITHER AS LORDS
How many of the preachers today have suddenly become lords over the heritage of God, making his flocks slaves in their father’s house? How many of the preachers are more important than the God who called them? They speak more about themselves instead of Jesus. Their life size billboard is display of their importance with little or no reference to the Chief Shepherd. It is no more about being examples to the flock of God but taunting the flock. Nothing much to copy from them that is traceable to Jesus.
The flock are perishing of hunger as they are not fed. Individual interest has taken over the primary responsibility of feeding the flock of God. Where do you stand on this scale of His word? Finally, what happens when the Chief Shepherd shall appear? All looks quiet for now but that is not conclusive. It may seem nothing will happen, so you can go on and do whatsoever pleases you. But remember the Chief Shepherd, the owner of the flock will soon appear. He will show himself shortly, not long from now. He tarries for now, but he is coming soon. He will surely appear. When he appears to reward each one of us, what you have done will determine what he will do to you. What have you done? Have you been feeding His flock? Or have you been feeding on the flock? The flock in your care, are they looking good, well fed, or shabby and malnourished? Those who are feeding the flock of God well will be rewarded with a crowning glory which will never fade away. Feed the flock well and receive this crown. Let us pray
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