Ezekiel 34:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?”
Many people desire position for the wrong reason. Many people desire position for the prestige of the position instead of the opportunity that position brings. There are many young men who desire to pastor a church for the sake of seeing their name on the desk or door of their office. Many youth desire to have leadership positions for the sake of having the luxuries and honor that come with that position. If the truth be told, there are leaders who are simply serving their position instead of serving the people.
In the verse above, God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel because they served themselves and their position instead of serving the people. God didn’t give the shepherds of Israel their position so they could pad their coffers, but He gave them their position so they could help those they served. These shepherds were to seek the lost, feed the sheep, bring back those who were driven away, strengthen the sick and protect the flock from the beast of the field. Instead, they led with cruelty to get from the flock what they wanted. They fed themselves instead of feeding the flock. When you look at these shepherds, they were not serving the flock. They were serving their position.
Every leader must be careful not to use their position to feed themselves, but they must use their position to feed those they serve. You don’t acquire position so you can serve yourself. You were given that position by God to be sure that the needs of those whom you were sent to serve are met. You are to do everything in your power to be sure that the needs of those you serve are met.
Husbands, your job is not to serve yourself, but your job is to serve your wife and family. It is your responsibility to be sure that the bills are paid and that there is food on the table. You shouldn’t be looking to the government to meet the needs of your family, because you are to make sure that you do everything in your power to meet their needs.
Parents, your job is not to make your children serve you. Your job is to make sure their needs are met. This does not mean that you are to do everything for your children, but what it means is that you are to make sure their spiritual, physical and mental needs are met. Your responsibility is to meet their needs of love. Your responsibility is to make sure they are clothed and are being cared for physically. Your responsibility is to make sure your children grow up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.
Whether you are a pastor, church staff member, plant supervisor, politician or public servant, you are to serve others and not your position. You are not given position to abuse those whom you serve, but you were given your position to make sure their needs are met. You are not to serve your title, but you are to use your title to serve others.
Are you serving your position or are you using your position to serve others? God holds you accountable by how you meet their needs. Make it your daily prayer as a leader to ask God to help you see the needs of those you serve and provide the wherewithal to make sure those needs are met.