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LEADERSHIP: RESPONSIBILITY "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. John 10: 11 In the parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25; 14 ff, Jesus revealed that God rewards the faithful, industrious servant with respect, increased position, and responsibility. Continuing with the analogy of Jesus as the good shepherd and His people as the flock, Jesus asked Peter to feed His sheep in John 21:15-17. A good leader must be committed to the task. "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds: (Proverb 27: 23). He is not in it for riches, "For riches are not forever: (Proverb 27:24a)," and positions of importance are not to be presumed, "and doth the crown endure to every generation (Proverb 27 :4b)?" As the cycle of daily work and responsibilities are continually done, "The hay appears" and the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered (Proverb 27:25)," God provides for the shepherd's needs, "The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. And you shall have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens (Proverb 27:26-27)." God rewards the diligent, "Do you see a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men (Proverb 22:29), but not the lazy, "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute" (Proverb 12:24). One servant in the parable of the talents did nothing with his opportunity. He gave his task no time or effort, and then he tried to shift the blame for his own failure onto the master (Matthew 25:24-30). He did not know God or trust Him. God considered this servant to be wicked and lazy. He took away his responsibility and gave it to another and had the wicked servant tossed out. God encourages His people to work hard, "Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; ... (Ecclesiastes 9: 10). The good shepherd cares for the sheep and gives his life for them. "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep (John 10:12-13). Don't use the sheep for your own benefit and neglect their care. "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; As I live says the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock. (Ezekiel 34:2-8). Feed God's sheep, care for the sick and hurt, guard and protect them from all harm. The shepherd is to take care of the flock, and the flock is to take care of the shepherd. In God's plan, everyone benefits.
Richard D. Min. Director of Missions |
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Baptist Association