John 10:11-16(NKJV)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
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Are you a Son or a Hireling?
A Hireling is a person who works purely for material reward.
Works just for the money. Does not have an invested interest.
If you want to have a spirit of excellence in all you do, you need to have a heart like The Good Shephard, who was the son of God.
Characteristics of a Son & Characteristics of a Hireling
A son will give his life, A hireling runs away at the first sign of trouble.
John 10:12-13(NKJV)
12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
A son is invested, A hireling is not invested.
John 5:19 (NKJV)
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
A son recognizes his inheritance. A hireling has no inheritance.
Colossians 3:23-24(NIV)
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Romans 8:17(NIV)
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Colossians 1:11-12(NKJV)
11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
A son cares about what happens, a hireling doesn’t care what happens.
Philippians 1:1-4(NKJV)
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
A son goes above and beyond, A hireling only does the bare minimum.
Matthew 25:37-40(NKJV)
f37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Galatians 6:9(NIV)
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
A son knows everything & everyone. A hireling only knows the minimum requirements.
2 Timothy 2:15(NKJV)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
A son has a goal in mind. A hireling does without direct purpose.
1 Timothy 4:10(NLT)
10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
A son gives his best even without pay. Hirelings cannot imagine doing anything for free.
1 Corinthians16:14(NKJV)
14 Let all that you do be done with love.
Ephesians 2:10(NIV)
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.