a hired hand

 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

John 10.12-13 NLT

The question for us today, are we a hired hand or are you an under shepherd.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd but who are you?  We would like to think our intentions for getting into ministry are honorable.  However, sometimes we slip into selfish tendencies.  Paul David Tripp in his book dangerous calling warns:

The people in your congregation did not become active participants in your ministry so that collectively they could collectively make you feel better about yourself . . .  God didn't call you to your particular ministry position so you could cobble together an identity . . .  The leadership of the church didn't call you to be their pastor because they knew you needed a forum where you could find meaning and purpose.   (pg. 202)

These words may seem harsh but in reality we often find our motives are about us and not serving the Good Shepherd's sheep.  These are some thoughts we need to prayerfully look deep into our own hearts for self examination.

who are you?

 Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me!

1 Samuel 17.8  NLT

Who are you?  We like the Israelites, are having an identity crisis.  So often we forget who we are and accept who others say we are.  Pastor/leader you are not a hired hand.  You are not an employee of such and such church.  You are the under-shepherd.  You are the man of God.  You are called of God to serve and lead His people.  You are not "servants of Saul."  You are the servant of the most high God.

Now I hope your confidence is raised a little.  But I must caution us to remember we are His servants.   We must be humble and not prideful.  We can not operate as the one who is in charge or has the last word.  That is reserved for the chief shepherd, Jesus.  Our orders come from King Jesus, always!