John Stanko

Last week, we took our first look at Peter's instructions to the shepherds of God's church when he wrote,

"Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them . . . as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve" (1 Peter 5:2).

The word for 'dishonest gain' in the KJV is translated 'filthy lucre,' which gives us the idea that Peter was referring to money, pure and simple. We as leaders are not to be looking for the monetary reward that can come when leaders manipulate or pressure to give money to God's work, which then goes into the leaders' pockets. Peter mentioned the antidote for this temptation and that is service. Servants don't do what they do because they get paid; they do what they do because that's their role and their master then provides for their needs, if that master expects them to survive and have the strength to carry out their duties.

Service isn't just being polite but it's using your leadership power and using it to empower others, to equip them to carry out the will of God for their lives. Are you a servant? Are you doing what you do as a job for money and benefits, or are you doing it as unto the Lord as His servant and trusting Him for your provision? How can you be a more effective servant? Keep in mind that even Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. You would do well to follow His example, making sure you have a good understanding of what it means to be a servant and how that should look in the role God has given you.