You
drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your
flocks starve. Ezekiel 34:3 (NLT)
God had Ezekiel write a blistering indictment of the
religious leaders in Israel who were supposed to be shepherding the flock, but
instead were using their position to get rich and powerful; all the while the
people were wasting away in poverty and squalor.
It takes a robust sociopath to lie one’s way to the
top of the heap – one who can promise much and deliver only to himself.
Adolph Hitler was a fine example of a prevaricator, a
lying tongue that promised a silver lining for the poor, common folk. His impassioned speeches were filled with
false sympathy for the impoverished German citizens. He had hidden plans.
In 1934 Germany only the well-off or powerful could
afford an automobile. Hitler gave a
speech at an automobile show in light of what he was telling the German people
he wanted to do for them:
“It can only be said with profound sadness
that, in the present age of civilization, the ordinary hard-working citizen is
still unable to afford a car, a means of up-to-date transport and a source of
enjoyment in the leisure hours.”[2]
To be sure, Hitler looked like he was
fulfilling his promises. As proof of his
benevolent
leadership he approved design of the Volkswagen (literally: the people’s car), and building of a
superhighway system, the autobahn, so the average
family could afford this modern mobility.
But not a single private German citizen got a vehicle, because once Hitler
got complete control of the government, he turned production of the people’s
cars into military vehicles of the war machine.
It’s hard to see a person’s motive. It’s particularly tricky in church to even
mention that, because we serve the one who said we ought not to judge
others[3].
In the end, however, one way or another, leadership
will be judged.
Hitler had his comeuppance – eventually – and did what
cowards do…he took the easy way out with a revolver.
For those of us charged (as I am) with caring for the
souls of a part of God’s flock, we also will be judged for our conduct and
faithfulness in ministry. I take that
seriously and fearfully; serving God is not to be approached casually or with
personal gain in mind.
I can honestly say that most ministers I have ever met
fall into that earnest, faithful and genuinely motivated category; faithful
under-shepherds of the King.
Some have not.
(May God have mercy on their souls.)
For You Today
Here are a couple of questions with which you (as a
follower of Jesus) should wrestle:
Do you trust your spiritual leader, your
pastor?
Do you trust God enough to leave
the judging of your leader’s ministry…to God?
If you answered “yes” to both questions, you’re on
solid Biblical ground. Judgment and
appropriate rewards or punishment are God’s prerogative.
If you answered “no” it may be time to answer a third
question:
Who is running your church, God, or you?
