OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONALS 15TH JULY 2020 – FEED THE SHEEP
Memorise: And I will very gladly spend and be spent for
you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
2 Corinthians 12:15
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:14-18
Bible in one year: Isaiah 13-17
Hymn 9 – Hold The Fort
Key Point: Pursue souls, not what they
have.
“Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children” 2 Corinthians 12:14
It is very sad that these days, many pastors are not after souls, but rather, what is in the possession of these souls. Jesus’ instruction is “Feed my sheep” not “Get fed off my sheep.” We should all learn from the example of Apostle Paul. He was a man who was willing to spend and be spent for the sake of the flock. Even when they didn’t seem to be reciprocating his love for them, he loved them even more. As a Pastor, Head of department or leader in whatever capacity, you need to check your motivations from time to time. Are you more interested in what the people have or in the prosperity of their souls? When you are more interested in what they have, you will find yourself excusing the sin of one fellow because he is rich while you condemn the same when committed by someone poor. You would find yourself visiting only the rich members of the Church or your department/unit as the case may be, while you hardly check on the poorer ones. Indeed, the Church needs money to do a lot of things, but are we supposed to look to human beings instead of God to sponsor His work? Apostle James warned against this preferential treatment in the house of God in James 2:2-4 which says:
“For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become Judges of evil thoughts?”
God sent us out to bring souls into His kingdom, not money. Don’t leave the most important for the least important.
This charge is to every Christian and not just pastors and elders in the Church alone. Ensure you bring the word of God to the fore in every situation or gathering you find yourself in. God is relying on you to feed His sheep and bring the lost ones into the fold.