KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 10:12 KJV “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. “

The Lord introduces another term, an hireling. Who is an hireling? As the word goes, this is one who has been contracted to take care of the sheep so he would be paid for his services. This kind of thing abounds around. Many are doing God’s work because of what they would take at the end of the month. They are purely hirelings. God’s work or calling is never an occupation or a profession. It is devotion. It is a commitment of one’s life to lift up the name of God, irrespective of what he receives, whether good or bad. The very first point of concern is to please God. Phi 1:20 KJV” According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

I have heard of a number of men who enter the pastorate as a profession or an occupation. Their concern is what they would earn, including the benefits. This is the reason such people would avoid all dangers. The Lord said such people would run away at the site of a wolf. What conditions could be described as wolves? Some men of God claim the powers pursuing the lives of certain individuals are so strong that they would not venture into handling such cases. Anyone who talks like that is an hireling. Certain challenges rise up that demand the pastor to stand up and challenge the issues at stake, the hireling will avoid it because he is afraid for his life.

What kind of leader are you? Are you a good shepherd or an hireling? Hirelings do not know the Lord. They do not have any strong relationship with the master. Ironically the true shepherd is seldom overwhelmed by the challenges they confront. They always come out victorious because they confront those challenges in the name of the Lord. David did not run away from the lion and the bear but successfully destroyed all these beasts. He knew the Lord His God.

CONFESSION

I am not a hireling but a good shepherd. God my father who chose me, has given me His ability to face all oppositions. No challenge, condition or attack can overcome the greater one who lives in me

THOUGHT: YOUR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO GOD DETERMINES WHETHER YOU WOULD  BE A GOOD SHEPHERD OR A HIRELING.

FURTHER STUDIES

Job 7:2 KJV “As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:”

Joh 10:13 KJV “The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”