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Caution to my heart as Clergy
Rod ShimabukuroJohn 10:12The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
Jesus challenges and corrects the Pharisee’s hearts, calling them thieves who steal, kill and destroy. And now suggesting that they are like “hired hands” who don’t have love for the people they are supposed to shepherd. Tending to, caring for the sheep for their benefit is contrary to the “hired hand” mentality of the Pharisee’s. The robes, the positions, popularity and pay...sidetracks their devotion to the sheep of Israel.
Jesus is coming straight out to say - He is the Good Shepherd who lays down HIs life for the sheep (v11). But the hired guns - are in it for themselves, their needs, wants, fulfillment.
To me, being hired connects to being paid for a job, role, duties, responsibilities. Being hired then is connected to pay...money...compensation. I see us as paid clergy, in danger of the focusing to much on the “pay and pay scale” of ministry. Thshi attitude - these thoughts can quickly poison my mind.
How many of us (paid staff, clergy) have grumbled because the Pay/money became toooooo much of a focus and want of our hearts. Motives, ambitions affect how we do ministry. How we communicate. How we “ask for money.”
I dare not “ask the people of God for money - but in subtle ways, we do...to meet the needs of the ministry. There is a BALANCE to it all. While calling the sheep into obedience, to give joyfully and worshipfully unto Jesus, for His work - it’s too easy for my motives to be seasoned with a little greed - or desire to fulfill ”my want/need.“ I am to equip and call the sheep into discipleship and obedience in the area of giving.
My conclusion - I am challenged and convicted to be a shepherd under my Great Shepherd, to fulfill His calling - for the benefit of raising up healthy sheep - for His glory, not mine. For His Kingdom benefit not mine. I must always be careful and watchful of my evil motives for greed, coveting, and my Self seeking, self fulfilling ambitions.
Dear Holy Father - make me holy, keep me holy, help me to equip and raise up holy sheep... for Your glorious honor! Convict me, confront me immediately - when the venomous thoughts of greed, impure ambitions enter my soul. Thank You so much for Your gracious and good work of holiness in my heart. I love You!
