One

"open-handed and abundant givers"

“Another man may work with the sheep so that he gets money. But the sheep are not his own. A man like that is not the shepherd. A man like that runs away when he sees the wolf (a wild dog). The wolf comes to kill the sheep. But a man like that leaves the sheep and he turns away. So the wolf attacks the sheep and it causes them to run in all directions. That man runs away because the sheep are not his own. The sheep do not really matter to him.” (John 10:12-13, EasyEnglish)

THE HIRELING doesn’t care for the sheep. They don’t matter to him. This phrasing from the EasyEnglish stands out to me. Jesus doesn’t call people into ministry offices for any other reason but that He wants care for those He died to save. The word “ministry” itself means “to serve.” It’s not a podium but a working position. Jesus demonstrated this by washing His disciples’ feet and said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet (John 13:14).” A pastor must care for the sheep. They must matter to him. This includes those in his own sheepfold and those in another man’s sheepfold. Because Jesus also said, “There shall be one fold, and one shepherd (John 10:16).”

The apostle Paul stated this clearly. He said, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:4-6).” Although there are tens thousands of denominations, in God’s eyes, we are ONE.

What makes for the hireling? The answer reminds me of the people who rented apartments from my father-in-law, many years ago. They didn’t own the home and so they did not care for it, even damaging it without feeling any guilt. Church offices are about people. They are us caring from the heart for people. They are not for money (greed) or for prestige (arrogance) or to be seen (popularity). They aren’t because you talk well or so that you can let off steam.

We are not here to “make it rich.” Though some are “rich” so that they can tend the size of their sheepfold, the Spirit says NO to prosperity teaching and especially conferences. What the Word teaches about money is trusting God for all things (Matthew 6:32). It says never to worry. God is our Provider. It also teaches us to be generous as our Father is generous. A wonderful minister pointed out that John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that HE GAVE.” The Father gave His most precious resource, and He gave all of it, keeping nothing back.

Our giving should be done in the Spirit, meaning we trust God and give as He directs. We are no longer under the rule of Old Covenant Law. God fulfilled the tithe in Jesus’ death and blessed us with His life one hundred percent. We are no longer bound by percentages or labels – tithes and offerings. We are simply to be open-handed and abundant givers. There is no sin in not giving properly. Instead, we are to make the effort to give with the right heart and motive. It doesn’t matter whether you give first, when you get paid, or later … if the timing doesn’t affect your attitude. Some prefer to use automatic payment systems for their giving. I find it takes away from listening to and doing as the Holy Spirit directs. But ultimately, it is your heart, your motive, that God is looking at and your motive that He will bless (Hebrews 4:12).

Thinking of the hireling again, where it is mentioned in John 10, it speaks not of devils or the devil but of religious leaders. Jesus wished those listening to Him to wake up and see who He was. In that passage, He even says He will die for the sheep, but they heard only a perceived insult and not the heart of the Father at all. In other places, He said they gave only to be seen of men and that is all the blessing they would receive from it (Matthew 6:1); and He accused them of robbing widows (Matthew 23:14). Their work in the temple was selfish and self-serving. They worried more about their political position than they did God (John 11:48).

We have been given the example of the Master to follow, and He gave Himself completely. I would add, He is still giving of Himself. Whatever we need to have peace in our mind, health in our bodies, healing of our relationships, or finances to care for small or large sheepfolds, He will do it at His own expense for all who will trust Him and know His love is eternal, infinite, and unending. Let ours be the same, and our teaching in the church be only God’s heart and not our own, and our generosity be on the level He is asking of us. And without fear in it.

Philippians 4:15-19
(15) Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
(16) For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
(17) Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
(18) But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
(19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash


----------
Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com