Is God reprimanding the Sheppard's to stop feeding themselves?

Question

This is what the Almighty LORD says: I am against the shepherds. I will demand that they hand over my sheep. I won't let them take care of my sheep anymore, and they will no longer take care of only themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, and my sheep will no longer be their food.

Have you notices that in some large churches, the pastors/clergy are sticking rich whilst the congregation lives under the bread line. What is wrong?

Answer 1

You have to be careful not to paint with too broad a brush. Sure, there are so called men and women of God who rake in the bucks off the backs of the poor and then there are those who have served faithfully for many years, tithed or more from their once meager salaries, and have come to the place where because of their hard work and God's anointing on their ministry, they can finally enjoy some of the finer things in life.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

The above passage is as opposed to the passage that describes the "shepherds" that God is rebuking whom Peter prophesied about.

2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Ezekiel 34:7 "Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8 As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.

Answer 2

Not only in mega churches but sadly as it is this problem is prevalent in many small churches today.

We need to pray for our shepherds today. Particularly for those who are bleeding the people for their own selfish gain.

The problem is that many churches have departed from the word of God and the principles inherent in God's word on the proper way to sustain Pastors. Pastors deserve to be compensated fairly for their commitment to the Gospel. Guidelines and policies should be developed in every church to protect the Pastor and the People from improper management of the Lord's funds.

Answer 3

I am not sure if it is only meant that, because the first thing that comes to my spirit when I read the question, is that most pastors are losing their annointing for whatever sin they are committing, and God has raised up serious warriors in the pews, they are His secret remnant and when the time comes they will do what now the pastors are doing , they will lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. They will take over, because many pastors are not doing what God is requiring them to do.

Answer 4

Read the 13th chapter of Ezekiel (kjv). Verses 10-14, these false prophets are building a church house wall with UNTEMPERED mortar; 1 Cor 12:24, God has TEMPERED the body together, but these are doing the "tempering", and it shall fall. Verse 14, says the foundation of it "shall be discovered", 1 Cor 3:11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST". Verse 19, tells us why they are building this "wall", FOR GAIN.

18) "Will ye HUNT THE SOULS OF MY PEOPLE, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?" Notice in verse 20, "...the souls that ye hunt to make them FLY". Fly away leaving loved ones behind. They scare "MY PEOPLE" and "ye have made the heart of the righteous SAD, whom I have not made sad"; No, the gospel is good news.

Answer 5

They should also consider the words of the one they profess to follow: "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

They seem to have it reversed.

Answer 6

I agree with Jay.