"Feed the Flock": Encouragement

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 9
 
Many years ago, an elderly man knocked on the studio door of a world-famous artist. Known for his kindness and compassion, the artist admitted the old gentleman and inquired how he could help him.
Opening a packet of drawings he had made, the elderly man asked the artist to tell him if they were good, or, at the least, if they showed artistic potential.
After looking at the first few, the master knew they were worthless, showing little talent, and he, as gently as possible, gave the elderly man his opinion.
The visitor, though obviously disappointed, seemed to expect such an opinion. Apologizing for taking up more of the master’s time, he begged him to look at just one other set of drawings—these created by a young art student.
The great artist carefully looked them over and immediately became excited. The set of drawings showed great ability, sensitivity and artistic promise.
“These,” he enthused, “are incredible, excellent! This young person possesses great talent and extraordinary potential. Give him every possible help and encouragement to develop his art.
“Tell me,” the master continued, “is this young artist your son?”
Tears filling his eyes, the old man replied, “No. These also are my drawings. I did them over forty years ago. When I was learning to draw, my family and friends only criticized my efforts. I finally became discouraged and gave up. If only someone had said to me then what you have said to me now!”
Too often Christians do the very same thing to each other. We overlook opportunities to encourage one another. Hearing the world talk about paying compliments, we hesitate to do such a thing to another believer because it might cause pride. Instead we say nothing and others are discouraged.
Pride is indeed a hateful thing to God (see Prov. 8:1313The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (Proverbs 8:13)). But a compliment, in the form of an encouraging word, given to another Christian is not wrong. In fact, it may well be the very thing needed to help them continue in the path of faith.
Paul reminded Timothy that he was given a gift. But it was to encourage that timid disciple to stir it up and put it to use, not to puff him up in pride.
The Apostle also told Timothy to bring the once-unfaithful John Mark (see Acts 13:5,135And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Acts 13:5)
13Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13)) with him because he was now profitable to Paul. How many, through the ages, have read of the restoration of John Mark to service with the Apostle and have been encouraged!
The Apostle John’s expression of joy in Gaius’ faithfulness (3 John 33For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. (3 John 3)) was meant, not to cause him pride, but to encourage his heart to go on.
The Spirit of God calls Judas and Silas “chief men among the brethren” (Acts 15:2222Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: (Acts 15:22)), not to cause pride, but to encourage all believers to be faithful. Are we seeking to do the same for each other in these dark, discouraging days?
Ed.