Keeping Your Sheep...
by Min. Deidre Campbell-Jones
(Sylmar, CA, USA)
So, how are your sheep today? Is your herd healthy and thriving? Any new lambs you're especially proud of? Or didn't you know that you too are a Shepherd in charge of a flock that needs constant care?
As Christians we tend to only think of Christ as the ultimate Shepherd and the pastors of our churches as His representatives, herding their flocks of parishioners for the Kingdom of Heaven.
And yet, when I ask about your sheep, I am not talking to Pastors, Deacons, Elders or even Ministry Leaders. I am talking to you, the called out body of believers; the Kingdom?s Saints; the children of God.
Proverbs 27:23 says, "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks and look well to thy herds." When you read this before, did you skim over it like I did, with the assumption this scripture from King Solomon to his son (a future king) was regarding their kingdom or a message to spiritual leaders in charge of congregations of believers?
During a recent study of certain biblical concepts pertaining to work, business and finances, I knew the term "diligence" was one clear cut command we are given in regards to our money. And when delving further into the idea of financial diligence, the Lord led me to this verse in Proverbs and that's when a biblical truth took full shape.
If we compare every single dollar in our pocket, bank and portfolio to a lamb in our financial flock, then suddenly our stewardship as "monetary shepherds" becomes clear.
A shepherd's duty is first to keep track of each sheep. The shepherd must also make sure to lead the herd to plenty of food and water so that each sheep will be healthy and grow. The shepherd must also conduct the mating of each sheep at its proper time and with the proper mate (whether in his or her own flock or from another's) so that the entire herd will multiply stronger, healthier and larger.
If we had been shepherds in Solomon's day, our flock would have been our livelihood in terms of our job and our investment portfolio, but also our connection to God as well. We would have taken that best lamb, perfect and free of blemish and actually brought it into our home to care for it until such a time as we would offer it for sacrifice unto God. Do we take as much care today with our tithes and offerings?
So, good shepherds, I'll ask again in greater detail...how are your sheep today? Is your financial flock healthy and thriving? Do you have sheep that have wandered off and you don't even know they are missing?
How many sheep are lost from your finances due to your neglect? Do you even know the exact number of sheep in your entire herd? What is your net worth?
Maybe you haven't been monitoring your herd carefully and wolves and thieves have stolen them. Or maybe you have led your sheep to unhealthy water through poor spending habits and now the entire flock is small, week and sickly.
And perhaps you've traded, bought and sold sheep according to bad investments or no investments at all and now the reproductive abilities of your flock are nonexistent.
These are all questions that have changed the way I think about money and now I'm tending my herd with true biblical diligence. How are you keeping your sheep?
