A Hireling

Micah 2:6-7

“Do not preach”—thus they preach—“one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.” Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Has the LORD grown impatient?           Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?”

Two terrible things can happen to a man that God has entrusted with being his messenger, His spokes person to the people.  The first I believe is more common in 2015 but both are alive and well in the Church today.  First, is the person who allows himself to become a hireling and let me give my definition of the word hireling: “It represents a shepherd neglecting his flock in favor of popularity, money, ease of life, and being part of the affluent in his church.  He has quit speaking for God and makes sure he does not upset the ones who could effect his income.”  And second is the man who is willing to compromise God’s message for the sake of wealth and popularity.  He also is a hireling!  He has sold out for gain of self, and has no impact on the kingdom of God.

This is not a new thing as you can read such were the priest and prophets in the time of Micah’s life, they rejected Micah’s message of God’s coming judgment.  They told him to quit preaching such a message because it was condescending to the wealthy men who had come up with plans to seize land and houses from the poor and the weak.  They, like many in our day, were silent on the evil of their day, and were telling Micah to only preach the love and patience of God; they had lost all understanding of God’s holiness and judgment.

You may have read 1Timothy where Paul addressed false teachers who were teaching a different doctrine than grace.  They were mixing in myths and endless genealogies.  Picking up the words of Paul in verses 4b-7, “which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.” 

As a follower of Christ we are to follow the example of the people of Berea, for when the gospel was brought to the Jewish people they did the following: “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)  If you do not ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, a hireling may guide you.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice