«　WEEK 4　DAY 4　»

　　Acts 20:27-28 For I did not shrink from declaring to you all the counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers to shepherd the church of God, which He obtained through His own blood.

　　Not only did Paul teach [the believers in Ephesus], care for their interests, and care for the things that were profitable to them, but he declared also God's counsel, God's plan, and God's economy. No doubt, Paul taught the Ephesians a great deal concerning God's New Testament economy.

　　Similarly, all the elders must learn what God's New Testament economy is and point this out to the saints. By knowing God's eternal economy, most of the saints would then be solidly grounded and deeply rooted. Most Christians today receive only shallow teachings, instructing them to be good, humble, loving, and kind....The things of God's New Testament economy, God's eternal plan, and God's plan for the church are absolutely lacking among them. Hence, what is needed among us is the proper biblical, divine revelation concerning God's eternal economy. (CWWL, 1989, vol. 4, "Talks concerning the Church Services," p. 212)

　　The elders must learn all the things of God's economy and dive into them....They will be able to comfort the disappointed saints by telling them God's economy. To hear God's economy and receive such a high calling will become a strong comfort and encouragement to the disappointed ones. The problems that we are facing today in the recovery are mainly due to the lack of a deep understanding and realization of God's eternal economy.

　　In Acts 20:28 Paul admonished the elders to "take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers."

　　Apparently, it was Paul who appointed them as elders. Actually, it was the Holy Spirit who placed them as overseers. Here Paul uses the term overseers instead of elders. These two synonyms are used interchangeably. The term elder refers to the person, but overseer speaks of his responsibility. An overseer should not be sloppy or sleepy but all the time watchful. He must be aware of the situation of the church and oversee each member of the flock. If so, he will know what the need is and what they should do.

　　Paul charged the elders not only to teach but also to shepherd the church of God, which God obtained through His own blood. To obtain in Greek also denotes "to acquire," or "purchase." His own blood is a dear term. God considers the church as a treasure that is very dear and precious in His eyes. He loves the church to such an extent that He purchased it with His own blood.

　　Similarly, the elders should also love the church as God does....God used His own blood. So we must love the church with this kind of fine feeling and affection.

　　Verse 29 says, "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock." To spare the flock means that we love the flock with tender care by cherishing and nourishing. However, the wolves would not care for the church in this way. On the contrary, they would sacrifice the church for their own interests and satisfaction. They are wolves hunting for prey.

　　Verse 30 follows, "And from among you yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverted things to draw away the disciples after them." Not only will wolves come in from without, but men will rise up from within the church, speaking perverted things.

　　Finally, Acts 20:31 says, "Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease admonishing each one with tears." Paul not only went to their house, but he also admonished each one of them with tears day and night. The elders among us must pick up a burden to do this day and night. They should go to the homes of the saints and admonish each one with tears. (CWWL, 1989, vol. 4, "Talks concerning the Church Services," pp. 212-214)

　　Further Reading: CWWL, 1988, vol. 4, "Further Light concerning the Building Up of the Body of Christ," ch. 2