PROCRASTINATION is a snare which often results in ruin. Against this error the first verse solemnly warns every reader.
1 Boast not thyself of to-morrow;
For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
The present is given man in order that he may act in view of the future. To defer until the morrow what should be attended to to-day is the sad mistake which has destroyed untold thousands. The old Spanish proverb says, “The road of by and by leads to the house of never;” while another trite saying reads, “The way to hell is paved with good intentions.” The English are fond of quoting, “Procrastination is the thief of time;” and it is likely that every nation has some maxim intended to remind one of the warning of our verse. Yet, alas, how prone we all are to leave for tomorrow matters which should be settled at once!
In nothing is this more manifest than in regard to the great question of the salvation of the soul. Again and again Scripture presses upon men the importance of an immediate settlement of this matter of tremendous moment. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord” (Heb. 3:7, 87Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (Hebrews 3:7‑8); 2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2); Isa. 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)). These are but a few of many such calls to instant decision. Yet what is more common than to find people putting off a final settlement till, like Festus, they have a “more convenient season,” which in many instances is never found! The uncertainty of health, reason, and of life itself, all alike loudly cry, “Boast not thyself of to-morrow.”
Pharaoh said “Tomorrow,” when he should have said “Today,” and the morrow found his heart as hard as the nether millstone, beyond the reach of repentance or concern (Ex. 8:1010And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God. (Exodus 8:10)).
If the reader is unsaved, let me remind him of five important reasons why he should not delay in coming to Christ.
First—Every day spent in sin is a day lost. The only true life is that which is lived for God. Those who are saved always regret not having turned to the Lord earlier, because they find such true joy and peace in the path of the just, which shines ever brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
Second—Every day spent in procrastination is adding to the terrible number of things you can never undo. It is often forgotten by the young that even though saved and forgiven at last, there are consequences of their sins which will never be blotted out. We have an influence on others, for good or ill, that a future change of ways can never utterly destroy. Then, sin leaves its effect upon our minds and bodies—an effect that lasts through all time. It was this a father meant to impress upon his son when he bade him drive a handful of nails part way into a clean, smooth post. With great delight the lad did as he was bidden. “Now, my boy,” said the father, “draw them out.” This was soon successfully accomplished. “Now take out the holes,” was the next command. “Why, father,” exclaimed the child, “that is impossible!” So we may think of the forgiveness of our sins as a drawing out of the nails; but, let us never forget, the marks remain. Therefore the wisdom of ceasing at once to do what can never be undone.
Third—It is possible that at any moment conviction of sin may pass away from the troubled soul, and that God may cease to speak to you any longer by His Holy Spirit. Many a man, or woman, has, by long resisting the Holy Ghost, reached a point where, like Pharaoh, the heart refused to respond to further entreaties or warnings. Such people are often said to be “gospel-hardened”; and the designation is all too correct.
Fourth—Ere tomorrow, Death may claim you for his prey. Even as you read these lines, he may be feeling for your heart-strings. David said, “There is but a step between me and death”; and so it is with any of us. Before tomorrow, sinner, your lips may be silent, your heart be still, your form be cold, and your soul in hell!
Last of all, you should not forget that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. He may return from heaven to call all His redeemed away (according to 1 Thess. 4:13-1813But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18)) ere you lay down this book. No event has to transpire, no prophecy to be fulfilled, before that great and solemn moment arrives. “In such an hour as ye think not,” the day of grace may be brought to a close, and the days of vengeance begin for all who have rejected, or merely neglected, so great a salvation.
Knowing not what a single day may bring forth, it is surely the part of wisdom to turn at once to God, owning your sins and trusting His grace!
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth;
A stranger, and not thine own lips.
Self-praise always bespeaks ill-breeding and a lack of realization of the fitness of things. If others extol, go on, humbly looking to God to keep you in a spirit of meekness and lowliness; for you know far more about your own failings than any other can. Boasting in your attainments or abilities is obnoxious, and opens the door to criticism of a severe character. See the men of Ephraim and Manasseh (Josh. 17:14, 1514And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto? 15And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. (Joshua 17:14‑15)).
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty;
But a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.
It is because of its unreasonableness that a fool’s wrath is so heavy. He will listen to no explanations, and will view with malice and suspicion all attempts to appease him. Better far to leave such a man to himself than to stripe with him, for he is incapable of sound judgment. Treat him as Hezekiah commanded his nobles to act towards Rab-shakeh (Isa. 36:2121But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not. (Isaiah 36:21)).
4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous;
But who is able to stand before jealousy?
After all, wrath, of which the previous verse has spoken, is a brief tempest of the mind, and anger a passing emotion. Both are to be dreaded while they last; but jealousy far more, for it abides when all outward evidence of it has disappeared. “Jealousy is as cruel as sheol.” See the brothers of Joseph (Gen. 37).
5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
True love will lead me to be faithful with my brother if his steps are declining from the path of rectitude. While avoiding a captious, faultfinding spirit, I will seek to recover his soul if he has gone astray. In so doing, I may have to wound, but such pains are faithful, and reproof in grace is better far than love kept concealed, which forbids my drawing his attention to his faults. An enemy may lavish kisses and tokens of affection at such a time, overlooking the evil and bolstering the wrongdoer up in his unrighteous cause, but they are deceitful manifestations, like the kiss of Judas. How faithful was Paul to Peter and Barnabas, and to the beloved Galatians, dear as all assuredly were to him (Gal. 1 and 2).
7 The full soul tramples on a honeycomb;
But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
The verse has been paraphrased as follows: “The pampered glutton loathes even luxurious food; but he who is really hungry, will eat even indifferent food with a high relish.” It is need that gives appetite and enjoyment for what would otherwise be despised. To many, the word of God is one of these bitter things; but when the soul is hungry it becomes sweet as honey. See the little books eaten by Ezekiel and John (Ezek. 3:1-41Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. 4And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. (Ezekiel 3:1‑4); Rev. 10:9, 109And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. (Revelation 10:9‑10)).
8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest,
So is a man that wandereth from his place.
The Lord has given “to every man his work,” and we may also say, to every man his place. “But now, hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him” (1 Cor. 12:1818But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (1 Corinthians 12:18)). He who, in dependence on the Lord fills his appointed niche and maintains his proper place, shall find rich blessing; but as a bird that wanders from its nest exposes itself to danger and suffering, so is it with him who turns away from his sphere.
Looking at it in another way, we may apply the principle to assembly life. There is a place where God would have all His children gathered—to the peerless Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He who, having known the joy and blessedness of this, wanders from it because of fancied slights, or any cause whatever, is like a homeless bird that has forsaken its nest. See Demas (2 Tim. 4:1010For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)).
9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart;
So doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not;
And go not into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity:
For better is a friend that is near, than a brother far off.
Loving, solicitous counsel on the part of a true friend is as refreshing and stimulating to the soul as oil and perfume are to the body. In a warm, dry atmosphere and an enervating climate like that of Palestine, it was, and is, very soothing and invigorating to be anointed with oil; while sweet and stimulating perfumes are employed to rouse the dormant sensibilities and are found to be exceedingly grateful and refreshing. Happy is the man who has a friend of this character. It was such a one that David found in Jonathan.
When grief and calamity fall suddenly, it is far better to have a tried friend like this to turn to, than to be dependent on relations, however near, who may after all lack the heart and affection that marks the other. Time and distance are powerful forces for the weakening of family ties, as many have learned to their sorrow. Well it is for each to know that Friend who sticketh closer than a brother! See notes on Proverbs 17:1717A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) and 18:24.
11 My son, be wise and make my heart glad,
That I may give an answer to him that reproacheth me.
The obedience and careful behavior of a wise son will reflect glory upon his solicitous parent. When there is willfulness and disobedience the father will be reproached with not having properly trained his offspring. For us, who are “sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus,” the admonition is important. By walking worthy of Him who hath called us, we shall glorify before men our Saviour-God and Father. How often do wicked men reproach Him for the follies of His children! David’s sin gave occasion for the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, and therefore it was that the child of Bathsheba had to die (2 Sam. 12:1414Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. (2 Samuel 12:14)).
12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself;
But the simple pass on and are punished.
It is a repetition of Proverbs 22:33A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (Proverbs 22:3). See previous notes. How great must be the concern of the God you are neglecting, unsaved one, that again He should remind you of the importance of looking well to the future and hiding yourself in Christ ere the evil fall, and there be no remedy! If after this second warning you pass carelessly on to your well-deserved doom, “What wilt thou say when He shall punish thee?” (Jer. 13:2121What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail? (Jeremiah 13:21)).
13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger,
And take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
This too is a repetition of a proverb given in the first great division of our book. See Proverbs 20:1616Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. (Proverbs 20:16). We are not to suppose that it is mere chance that caused the friends of Hezekiah to duplicate several of Solomon’s wise sayings in this way. It is rather that God would by this means bring home to our attention, in a special manner, the importance of the instruction they contain. He who neglects such full testimony is verily guilty, and deserves no sympathy when he has to reap as he sowed.
14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
It shall be counted a curse to him.
There is a vein of easily perceived irony in these words. He who makes it a point to declare his protestations of affection and interest beneath one’s window, with loud, garrulous tones, early in the morning, when the object of his attentions would fain rest, makes himself utterly obnoxious, and his blessing becomes rather a curse. Blatant uncalled-for words of praise are always to be dreaded. They generally manifest insincerity of heart and a lack of fine sensibilities, that are most repugnant to a person of the opposite temperament. The Italians say, “He who praises you more than he is wont to do, either has deceived you, or is about to do it.” See Absalom and the men of Israel (2 Sam. 15:1-61And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. (2 Samuel 15:1‑6)).
15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day,
And a contentious woman are alike;
16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind,
And the ointment of his right hand which bewrayeth itself.
See notes on Proverbs 21:9,199It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. (Proverbs 21:9)
19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. (Proverbs 21:19). No better comment could be written on the first of these verses than Dr. Thompson’s description of a Palestine rain-storm. He says: “Such rains as we have had thoroughly soak through the fiat earthen roofs of these mountain houses, and the water descends in numberless leaks all over the room. This continual dropping—tuk, tuk—all day and all night, is the most annoying thing in the world, unless it be the ceaseless chatter of a contentious woman.” He who endeavors to hide from others the annoying fact that such a disagreeable person shares his home, is like one who tries to hide the wind, or who seeks to keep people from detecting the fragrance when his right hand is anointed with perfumed oil. Ahasuerus considered Vashti as having offended in this way when she shamed him before all his nobles by defying his command (Esther 1:10-2010On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 12But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 13Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: 14And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) 15What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? 16And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. 19If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. 20And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small. (Esther 1:10‑20)).
17 As iron sharpeneth iron,
So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
As by friction, one iron instrument is sharpened and polished by contact with another, so we may be a help to each other by interesting and profitable intercourse and exchange or thought. A recluse is always a very one-sided man. He who would be a blessing to his fellows must mingle with them that he may learn to understand their needs and their sorrows, as well as that he may find gain by what in them is superior to his own knowledge or virtues. Among Christians, fellowship one with another is precious indeed, and becomes increasingly sweet as the days grow darker. How profitable to a Timothy the association with a Paul! (2 Tim. 3:10, 1110But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Timothy 3:10‑11)).
18 Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof;
So he that regardeth his master shall be honored.
Fidelity, in whatever service one may be entrusted with, assures its reward in due time, even as the caretaker of the fig tree would be duly entitled to partake of its fruit. Let the Christian remember that his Master is in heaven, and that he who regards Him and keeps His word in this the day of His rejection, shall be honored when the day of Christ has come. Meantime let him labor on, strong in faith, giving glory to God, and the reaping-time is sure, as with the husbandman of 2 Timothy 2:66The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits. (2 Timothy 2:6).
19 As in water face answereth to face,
So the heart of man to man.
Of all mirrors, clear water is perhaps the most primitive. As the reflected image answers to the face of him who is looking into it, so does one man’s heart answer to another’s. “There is no difference.” However much men may seem to differ through hereditary characteristics, education, or the lack of it, environment, or experience; the fact remains, that all have the same evil corrupt heart, which is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. No one has ground for boasting over another. All are sinners needing a Saviour.
Therefore, if I would show a man his sinfulness, I need but to describe in a measure the evil of my own heart, and he is likely to think I have been privately informed as to his faults and am exposing him publicly! How often have men thus reasoned when some faithful preacher was declaring the terrible nature of the center of man’s moral being, while yet altogether ignorant of the actual state and behavior of his auditors!
Blessed it is that, if all are alike sinners, for all a Saviour has been provided. See the “No difference” gospel as expounded by the Holy Spirit in Romans 10:5-135For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:5‑13).
20 Sheol and destruction are insatiable,
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
This verse but helps to seal the truth of the previous one. In this all men are the same. The natural heart will not permit the eyes to be satisfied. There is in man a capacity likened to sheol and destruction. Let him get all he may, he still yearns for more. This is the great lesson of the book of Ecclesiastes. There, we find a man with a heart so large that all the world could not fill it. In the Canticles, on the other hand, we have an Object so great that the heart cannot hold it, but the cry goes up, “I am sick of love.” It is Christ alone who can thus meet every craving of the soul, and more than satisfy all who find in Him the object of their deepest affections. See Proverbs 30:15, 1615The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: 16The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. (Proverbs 30:15‑16).
21 As the fining-pot for silver, and the furnace for gold,
So is a man tried by his praise.
There is no hotter crucible to test a man than when he is put through a fire of praise and adulation. To go on through evil report, cleaving to the Lord, and counting on Him to clear one’s name is comparatively easy, though many faint in such circumstances; but to humbly pursue the even tenor of his way, undisturbed and uplifted up by applause and flattery, marks a man as being truly with God.
Hundreds have prospered in soul when in adversity, who have failed grievously through prosperity. Gideon becomes a warning to all who are in danger of being carried away by undue appreciation (Judges 8:22-2722Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. 23And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you. 24And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) 25And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey. 26And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks. 27And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house. (Judges 8:22‑27)).
22 Though thou pound a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle,
Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
Folly is bound up in the heart of the fool, and after long years of willfulness has become part of his very being. To beat him as one beats grain in a mortar will not deliver him from his wickedness. In childhood the correction properly administered might have had good effect (Prov. 22:1515Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)), but having permitted his character to develop itself, it is now too late to seek to eradicate the foolishness by corporal punishment. Nor will moral suasion effect the desired result, for the fool is deaf to all entreaties and cares for nothing but doing his own pleasure. It is a dreadful state to be in. God alone can awaken such a one to a sense of his guilt and his danger, and turn him from his folly. See Jeremiah 13:2323Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23).
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks,
And look well to thy herds:
24 For riches are not forever,
Not even the crown from generation to generation.
25 The hay appeareth, and the tender herbage showeth itself;
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.
26 The lambs are for thy clothing,
And the goats are the price of the field:
27 Thou shalt have goat’s milk enough for thy food,
For the food of thy household,
And for the maintenance of thy maidens.
Faithful shepherd-service results in suited provision for oneself and those dependent upon him. Wealth is fleeting and riches soon pass away. See note on Proverbs 23:4, 54Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4‑5). Therefore the importance of earnest persistent endeavor and careful adherence to duty. Even a crown endureth not forever. Dynasties rise and fall in this world of changes. But he who plods on, husbanding his resources and wisely attending to the care of his flocks will have both food and clothing thereby; and what more does the wealthiest enjoy?
We may see in these verses also a picture of pastoral care among the sheep and lambs of Christ’s flock. His word to Peter was “Feed my lambs,” and “Shepherd my sheep.” Wherever He has implanted the pastor’s heart this will be the result. Such a one will look well to the state of the flock; not, however, with a view to pecuniary profit, nor as lording it over his own possessions, but out of pure love for the members of Christ. Nor will he be without reward. It is sure to come in the end, though he labor not for it. “When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” See Peter’s word to the elders in his first epistle, 1 Peter 5:1-41The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:1‑4). In Jacob’s defense to Laban we are reminded of what this shepherd-service may mean if carried out conscientiously (Gen. 31:4040Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. (Genesis 31:40)).