You can’t escape it. Everywhere you look are headlines and news stories: “Experts Predict Economic Doom and Gloom”, “Economic Forecast Looks Bleak”, “Middle Class Tax Cuts on the Line”. The newspapers, magazines and the Internet are full of them.
Thank God for His Word! We walk by faith and not by sight, and God has given us promises we can hold onto—even in these uncertain and trying times.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “And my God will meet all your needs BY HIS RICHES in glory BY CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 4:19). And here’s a great passage for Pastors that answers both the question of our “personal need” and our “ministry need” (Proverbs 27:23-27 NIV). These verses are for YOU TODAY:
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears (this is where our increase will come:-)
and the grass from the hills is gathered in (He also promised “Green Pastures” in Psalm 23),
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field,
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
and to nourish your female servants. (I guess the women in our lives add more costs. 
)
These promises to provide for “Shepherds” (Pastors) are conditional upon “knowing the condition of…giving careful attention to” our flocks and herds (good pastoral care). Who are the people in our flocks and herds? Locally, ALL the people within our community upon whom “The Great Shepherd” has had compassion,“because they are as sheep having no shepherd”.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38).
Internationally, it’s the masses of people that are in need of a Savior. Everybody needs a pastor, and if they don’t have one, YOU ARE THEIR UNDER-SHEPHERD called by Christ to lead them to the GREAT SHEPHERD.
He promises we will have enough clothing and sufficient food to feed our families (personal needs). Very similar to Matthew 6:19-34 (summarized in verse 33 and paraphrased): “Seek FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD then all the THINGS YOU NEED WILL BE ADDED!!!” The church property and facility needs will also be met, for he says, “the goats with the price of the land”. [We all may have a few goats, but PLEASE be nice to them too. ]
Care for the sheep entrusted to your care (inside and outside of the church building). Stand upon the aforementioned Scriptures and pray in faith!
PLEASE READ and RE-READ THE SCRIPTURES ABOVE: Proverbs 27:23-27; Psalm 23; Matthew 9:35-38, then write down your reflections on what the “Word of the Lord” is saying to you!
Mike Harrison
Sr. Pastor
Church 212, Palm Desert, CA