Every pastor worth his salt has spent time meditating on Ezekiel 34. This famous-for-pastors chapter contains stern words for greedy, unshepherdly shepherds. In ancient times, the king was the primary shepherd of his people (see 2 Samuel 5:2). The word against the shepherds is therefore first a word against the Jewish monarchy. Because the kings, largely, had been more interested in expanding their own influence and kingdom, and had thereby ignored the welfare of God’s flock, God would remove the monarchy and shepherd the flock himself (vv. 1–16). Ultimately, of course, this would be fulfilled in the shepherding ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, who would be the Good Shepherd to God’s sheep.
The Lord also promised his people that, when he shepherded them himself, they would no longer need to fear the covenant curses. Instead, they would experience a covenant of peace. They would know what it was to experience the covenant blessings rather than the covenant curses they were so used to experiencing (vv. 25–31).
But lest we think that this is only a word against godless rulers (and, in our context, godless pastors), we should take particular note of vv. 17–24, which address the “fat sheep” in Israel. It was not only the shepherds who were guilty of mistreating the sheep, but the better off sheep were equally guilty of mistreating the less fortunate sheep. These “fat sheep” were consumers. They were eager to get to the pasture and the stream, but they couldn’t be bothered to reach out to the “lean sheep” to see how they could help. Indeed, the “lean sheep” had become a prey to the “fat sheep.”
Consumer Christianity is a plague in the evangelical world. Consumerism tells us that the product we invest in must serve our purposes but intrinsically teaches us that a better product is on the horizon and that, when the better product is unveiled, the old model can be easily discarded. This mentality has devastating effects for Christianity. Consumer Christians have little commitment to the church because, when the consumer’s felt needs are no longer being met, the church is cast onto the ecclesiological rubbish heap while a newer, shinier model is embraced. Consumer Christians have little to give to the church because that simply is not their focus. Consumer Christianity is about getting, not giving. The result is that while faithfully contributing church members weary themselves out, consumer church members simply show up for meals and grow spiritually fat while disregarding the cries of the “lean sheep” for help.
Simply put, consumer Christians treat Christ and his bride like commodities that exist to serve their felt needs. They treat the church as something that exists to impress them. If it doesn’t, the consumer Christian either stays and grows bitter or leaves in search of greener pastures.
I trust you can see how dangerous consumerism can be when it is blended with Christianity. But how do we know that we are guilty of consumer Christianity? How do we know when we have become a “fat sheep” who is doing more harm than good? There are many signs that suggest we have bought into a culture of consumerism. Here are just three to think about.
First, consumer Christians primarily want a church that has things they like. They are looking for the good pasture and the clear water (v. 18). They have a list of precisely what they’re looking for: a beautiful building, uplifting music, a funny, dynamic preacher, an enthusiastic children’s minister, or opportunities for fun fellowship. If they find these things, they settle in comfortably—so long as there is no pressure to serve. They exemplify the attitude of which Paul cautioned when he wrote to Timothy about professing Christians who do not tolerate sound teaching but instead, following their own desires, accumulate teachers who will tickle their ears (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
Second, and related, consumer Christians want to know what they will get out of church, not what they can give to the church. If they can get the good pasture and the clear water, they don’t care if they tread down the pasture or muddy the water for others (v. 17). If the preaching is not exciting every week, and the children do not return from children’s ministry buzzing with energy and excitement they quickly vocalise their disapproval. They do not think to ask how they can help things improve but instead look for ways to indulge the flesh rather than serve (Galatians 5:13).
Third, consumer Christians claim that they want Christ, not the church. Some Christians, of course, have been deeply hurt by church and their knee-jerk reaction is to (claim to) reject the church while still pursuing Christ. Ezekiel 34, however, shows that God is more interested in the flock than in the individual, “fat sheep.” “I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey” (v. 22). He always favours his sheep. Christ died for his bride, the church, not for a ragtag group of individual Christians. We cannot have Christ apart from his church. That is not Christianity; it is consumerism.
Ezekiel 34 speaks both to bad shepherds and fat sheep. A good pastor has felt the weight of this text, but the sheep need to feel it as well.
As you meditate on Ezekiel 34 this morning, ask God to deliver you from a fat sheep mentality. Beware the danger of consumerism and ask always how you can serve even as you are being served.
