The apostle Peter admonishes the undershepherds: "Feed 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; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:2, 3. Paul says, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy 192 Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." Acts 20:28, 29.

For at frelse sine får gav Kristus sit liv, og han henviser sine hyrder til den kærlighed, han derved lagde for dagen, som deres forbillede. "Men den, som er lejesvend, ..... hvem fårene ikke hører til" har ingen virkelig interesse for hjorden. Han arbejder kun for vindings skyld og tænker kun på sig selv. Han ser på sin egen fortjeneste i stedet for at tage sig af dem, som er betroet ham, og i farens stund flygter han og lader hjorden i stikken.