Life Lessons: Shepherding

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only good Shepherd. As His child, I am also learning to shepherd the new ones who are brought under my care. Out of the burden I have for the new ones, I have a soft and tender heart towards all the ones I care for. But oftentimes my natural affection took over the feeling of God, in the past. My own natural goodness has been a hindrance for me in genuinely caring for the believers. As fallen human beings, even the believers expressed their practical needs, mostly financial, and even expected help as a part of shepherding. 

In the past, I have helped a good number of new ones financially as the Lord also provided the sources. But later I realized that they are not very genuine in their seeking "help." They have often taken me for granted just to console and comfort them during their hard times and provided them some help, financially, when they are in need. I have made the mistake of my emotion taking over my spirit. My soft natural heart was so easily convinced to sympathize with them and help with whatever and whichever way I could. Of course from my side, I do it as to the Lord. But later my eyes were opened to see that that may not be the best way to shepherd these new ones, especially those who only expect financial help from me. 

In fact, when I realize that these ones that I have helped in the name of "shepherding" actually are not genuine seeking ones. They took advantage of my Christian brotherhood and played with my emotion. If they were serious and genuine in their seeking they would have fully given themselves to the Lord and even come into the church life by now. Despite all my effort o usher them into the church life, they simply and indirectly proved to me that they are eyeing only for "monetary shepherding." This is a big lesson for me to learn in shepherding. 

Oh how much I need the discerning spirit to discern succinctly from the very first meeting with these new ones! Now I have decided only to shepherd them with the word of God, prayer, fellowship, and in non-monetary matters. If my shepherding with the word and prayer cannot usher them into the church life, my monetary shepherding will never. I am afraid I might spoil them with "easy money." With this lesson learned, I have deleted those new ones' bank account I have saved in my saving bank so that I may not be easily prompted to transfer money. In case the Lord wants me to still help them monetarily, I will do so in cash but after much prayer and consideration as not to repeat the past mistakes I have already commited.

Money is so deceptive. It blinds people's eyes, not the receiver only, but many times even the channel through which the offering was routed.  In the past week, I have heard three different brothers indirectly mentioning their need for financial help. They have not come into the practical church life yet, still, they dared to speak in such a loose way. I guess it was for my learning that the Lord allowed such incidents. Now I am determined not to help them financially at all until the Lord lead me so, and will only pray for them and shepherd them with the word of God.

Only Christ, the church, and the truths should be the goal of shepherding. Even if any new ones are attracted to the church it must be just for the sake of Christ and the truths. My material for shepherding must also be just Christ, the truths, and the church.

Lors, shepherd me so that I can shepherd others in a pure way with the goal of Christ and the church only.