BE WARNED!

Ezek. 34:1-2 Then this message came to me from the LORD, “Son of man prophecy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep?”  NLT

       This is a message that should be engraved on every pastor’s heart.  There is grave danger for those whom God calls to shepherd His people when they fail to properly take care of their flock.  There are so many so-called leaders in the church who are more concerned about themselves and their personal gain instead of the welfare of the church family.

        I believe with all my heart that God will be very harsh on them come Judgment Day.  There is no mercy for those who abuse others for their own gain.  There is no mercy for those who abuse the gifts of God given for the sake of others for personal gain.  There is no mercy for those who seek the affections of man instead of the affections of God.  There is no mercy for those who don’t respect their calling before God to minister to the spiritual needs of others.  There is no mercy for those who would seek to be shepherds on their own without the blessing and calling of God.

      What is true for leaders in the church is true for all of us.  We must always strive to be servants of God in all we do.  We are not to live for ourselves and ignore the needs of others.  It is so easy to live unto ourselves and neglect others.  The Lord makes it very clear that if we love Him, we will love others.  We cannot love the Lord and not love others.  If you find that you have very little concern for others, you need to bow before the Lord and ask Him to change you.  You need to confess your self-centeredness and ask Him to revive within you a genuine love for others.  You need to take advantage of the opportunities the Lord gives to you daily to show compassion for others, both inside and outside your home.

       Destruction is certain for all who don’t take an invested interest in others and minister as they can to their needs.  We are in the feeding business.  God gives us His love and gifts us to share with others.  God will not honor those who hoard their salvation.  In fact, He will reject them as His own.  You cannot be a child of God and not impact the world for Christ.  If we are not salt and light in the world, we are not living in Christ.