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1 Peter 5:2
2 Feed [poimaino] the flock [poimnion] of God [theos] which is among [en] you [humin], taking the oversight [episkopeo] thereof, not [me] by constraint [anagkastos], but [alla] willingly [hekousios]; not [mede] for filthy lucre [aischrokerdos], but [alla] of a ready mind [prothumos]; KJV-Interlinear
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; NASB
The flock is a reference to all believers. ‘Of God,’ means just that. All believers belong to God and to God alone, not to any preacher, pastor, leader etc.
All believers in this world are given to anyone who qualifies as a teacher or instructor of doctrine. This means that doctrine has to be taught, and the various entertainment events that occupy so many organizations (soccer, baseball, dances, etc.) are not a part of the pastors’ duties. That is, they should not be the priority, or the end objective in order to get members.
From the parent who has a child or two, to the pastor who has a large congregation, to the individual who happens to stumble into a conversation with a stranger, we are all shepherds in one way or another.
‘According to the will of God,’ means in accordance with that which is placed in your care.
God will create opportunities for you and delegate into your care, from time to time, obligations for you to care for the soul of another. It may be a happen chance occurrence, or an ongoing obligation.
The circumstances and the numbers for whom you may be assigned are irrelevant. God owns the flock and God provides His flock with a shepherd or shepherds to see to their spiritual needs. Meeting your obligations for the care of one person, is no less important than being assigned the care of millions. Each individual is important, and each individual is entitled to care as though he or she is the only obligation you have.
Having the opportunity to help people in their spiritual lives, is in effect helping them with something that will last them forever as well as helping them with something (their spiritual life) that is far more valuable than anything else.
The value of your help therefore, is beyond calculation.
This alone should give you a sense of accomplishment and worth.
God will never place an undue burden on you. There will be many folks who will not listen to you. Even your children will have a tendency to ignore your words. But remember one important thing. Your words may come from your mouth, but their origin is from God, and God knows the hearers and what they need at any given moment throughout their life.
Your words may not meet with apparent success, but you may just be laying a subtle foundation that will blossom many years later. The flock belongs to God and God ultimately takes care of His own.
Above all else, do not place upon yourself unreasonable expectations. Do not approach the teaching or instruction of the Word for God with unreasonable expectations. Do not attempt to deceive others or enter into some vulgar, fraudulent, or opportunistic situation whereby you are in a position to take advantage of others.
Be up front in all that you do and never take advantage.
The woods are filled with predators, and the worst of them is the one who pretends to be the shepherd while abusing his or her position of trust.
