Elders (4) – motives!

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully;” 1 Peter 5v2(AMP)

In the verse above, one thing Paul raises to the elders (the spiritual leaders, and pastors) even as they watch over, and tend the flock of God in their care, is their motivation. What should this motivation not be? It should not be for the advantages and profits of the office, that is, not because of what you can get out of it, the rewards, the benefits, the perks of the office. No, that is a very wrong motivation for seeking to be an elder. Even personally, in our daily walk with the Lord, we need constantly to check our motivation for why we ask for things. James 4v1-3 (NIV) says “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Why do you want what you want, child of God? Elders, why do you want what you want?

Supplementary Text

“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139v23-24 (AMP)

Prayer

Heavenly Father we thank You so much for Your Word. Father, we ask today that You will search us, and try our hearts, and see if there is any wicked way in us. Purge us from every wrong motive, evil imagination, and everything that is not of You, and lead us in the way everlasting. Thank You Father for hearing and answering us this day, in Jesus name, amen.