1Pe 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
The command Be shepherds was also given by Jesus to Peter. Besides feeding, it includes caring, leading, guiding, and protecting – all duties and responsibilities a shepherd has for his flock. “Overseer” seems to be interchangeable with “elder” and connotes both a spiritual and physical guardianship
Peter, through contrasting exhortations, presented both the motive and the manner of one’s ministry. An elder’s motive must be from willingness, not from a sense of external compulsion: not because you must, but because you are willing. Social or financial pressures should not be substituted for the pure motivation to do God’s will and to serve Him freely and eagerly: not greedy for money, but eager to serve. Shepherds who serve with false motives care only for themselves and devour the flock.
