5. What counsel did Peter give fellow overseers?

⁵ The apostle Peter, who was expected to feed Jesus’ sheep, told fellow overseers: “Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly;

(1 Peter 5:1-3) Let us see how elders, appointed by holy spirit, can satisfactorily comply with this counsel.

6. With what attitude should elders serve “the flock of God”?

⁶ Peter urged fellow elders: “Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly.” Those privileged to serve as spiritual shepherds should not do so grudgingly, feeling compelled to care for the sheep. They should not feel coerced, as though this were some form of drudgery or as if others were prodding them to shepherd the flock. Rather, elders should serve with a willing spirit. (Compare Psalm 110:3.) When a person is willing to do good for others, he usually does so wholeheartedly, exerting himself and going out of his way to serve their interests. A willing elder gives freely of his time and energies. He knows that at times sheep may go astray, and he desires to help them, imitating God’s concern for the sheeplike ones. Why, so great was Jehovah’s concern for Israelites who went astray that his words were: “I have said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that was not calling upon my name”!​—Isaiah 65:1.

7, 8. (a) What does it mean to carry out the shepherding work without love for dishonest gain? (b) Serving eagerly means doing what?

⁷ Peter said that the shepherding work should be done “neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly.” The appointed elders do not desire to be a burden to the sheep. That was the apostle Paul’s attitude, for he told Christians in Thessalonica: “Certainly you bear in mind, brothers, our labor and toil. It was with working night and day, so as not to put an expensive burden upon any one of you, that we preached the good news of God to you.” He also reminded them: “We did not behave disorderly among you nor did we eat food from anyone free. To the contrary, by labor and toil night and day we were working so as not to impose an expensive burden upon any one of you.”​—1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 8.

⁸ Similarly, faithful shepherds of God’s flock today do not covetously desire what the sheep have or try to make unjust profit at their expense. (Luke 12:13-15; Acts 20:33-35) Paul showed that those qualifying to be overseers ‘must not be greedy of dishonest gain.’ (Titus 1:7) Rather, they must serve eagerly, having enthusiastic interest in their work and seeking the advantage of the sheep entrusted to their care. (Philippians 2:4) In this way, these shepherds show unselfish concern for the sheep similar to that displayed by Jehovah God and his Son, Jesus Christ.