MONEY MADE ME RUN AWAY FROM THAT BIG CHURCH TO A SMALL ONE



I have been in this church around the mainland in Lagos since my university days. I served God fervently and loved my duties in church, so did I love my church and my pastor.
After graduation, I couldn't get a job, so I spent most of my time serving in the church. Six years passed, yet I didn't get a job, neither did I get commendations from my pastor or department members, especially because I didn't have money to do the things that commanded attention or respect as it were. People who just joined the church became leaders before me, not because of the word or leadership skills, NO! It was all because they had money and a good car or two. After a while, I suddenly realized that my pastor really celebrates those who have money and is always in a hurry to give them a position perhaps to keep them in the church but no one cared whether I was in church at all. In fact, in one of his messages, my pastor said “one of my sons just gave me N 1 million to spend as weekend money, and some of you here are thinking of only cleaning chairs and doing other things here." ... hmmm, when he said that, I believed he was referring to me and even if he wasn't, I still didn't feel happy and then, all his comments and commendations about those who give financially started running through my mind and oh it affected me badly.

Two months after that statement and many others, God blessed me with a very fine job that came with huge benefits and a very huge salary. I wanted to share this testimony in church but I held back. I didn't do so, rather, I walked into my pastor's office and told him about a new department I’d love the church to start and said I wouldn't mind heading it for a start, even though the department had nothing to do with money but more of service and soul-winning, my pastor quickly called some guy who just gave a testimony of a few millions he just made and made him the head over my idea (department), and this guy joined the church just three weeks ago. Wow! As I was walking out of his office, I saw this sister I have had so much feelings for, greeted her and asked if we could go out for a talk, and probably for lunch. She looked at me and said, "You? To where? Mamaput? Abeg oh forget it, please. Wow! Two bad stuff all in one day?"

Anyway, the next Sunday, I came to church changed. My car is a Cross Tour 2016 model that will give you an idea of how good my job is sir, so, I asked to testify, got only one minute and all I said during my testimony was “God has given me money. N24M per annum with lots of other huge benefits and a good car parked outside, please church praise God with me". Boy! After the service, everybody came greeting and hugging and asking me to wash it and all that, even people who don't respond when I greet all wanted my phone number including the lady who walked out on me.

Let me spare you plenty story sir, the next Sunday, as I drove into the church, it was one of the guys directing people to park who told me Pastor wanted to see me, I went to his office straight and unlike before where I had to wait for about 25 or more minutes, I was ushered in immediately, my pastor stopped what he was doing as I greeted him and said, ah, my son (I was like, since when? But in my head though), I have decided to make you the HOD of so-so and so department and I am putting you in my team of sons, well, was I surprised? Not really. I just walked out of his office, walked into my car and drove off never to go back there sir and it's been 6 months, he has sent several people to reach me and even sent me Facebook messages but I refused to respond to him or them let alone go back to his church, I say his church because that cannot be the Church of my God.

I am now in a very small but sweet church family, they don't know what I have because it's close to the house so I simply walk to church but the love I feel here and the way the pastor preaches based on the word sir, is super heavenly. I have found a new pastor in a small church and a family in a small congregation, I miss nothing from where I left, not even the music or the plenty concerts with popular music ministers.
Gospel-based on money is no gospel at all. The more position you give based on money, the more you become a businessman rather than a Pastor.... yes I said so!

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