I was relaxing upstairs in the new duplex that God gave to me, thinking about the faithfulness of God. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my door bell. I quickly did a mental scan to see if I had an appointment. None that I could remember. I came downstairs to check the person who interrupted the nice time I was having. Peeping through the door hole, I discovered that it was Lawson. I opened the door and noticed that he was looking downcast.

“The Law, how are you? You are not looking good, why?”

He did not answer me. Upon a closer look, I discovered that he was crying. Suddenly, I remembered that I’ve not even ushered him into the house before bombarding him with questions.

“Please forgive my manners. Let’s go inside.”

He calmly followed me into the house. I could not imagine what had made Lawson to be crying on his way to my house. I didn’t hesitate to find out.

“Please can you enlighten me on what is going on?”

Instead of giving me an answer, he increased the tempo of the cry. I needed no one to tell me that the matter must be a serious one. I had to intensify effort in finding out what was wrong.

“Lawson please, talk to me. Your silence is hurting me.”

“Kingsley I am finished. I have been used and dumped.”

“God forbid. How could you say that you are finished? That will never be your portion in Jesus name. But then, you have to tell me exactly what happened. The suspense is tearing me apart.”

“I am sorry for beating around the bush. It is just that I am over whelmed by the situation. The whole issue center’s around the church I’m working for. I told you that the monthly salary was N40,000. After some months, I received an alert of N30,000. I was thinking that the balance will come later. But the following month, they paid me N20,000. I couldn’t endure it anymore so, I met with the senior pastor over the matter.”

“You did the right thing. What was his response?”

“He said the church was having financial constraint. He however promised a positive change as soon as things lighten up. That was six months ago. Just yesterday, I received an alert for last month’s payment and it was N10,000.”

“That must be an advance payment. Is that why you are disturbing yourself? Later, you can discuss with them, concerning the balance of the payment,” I said, laughing over the matter.

“So I thought but I was wrong. I called the assistant pastor on phone to lay my complaint but he directed me to the senior pastor. Earlier today, I met with the senior pastor but the encounter was rough. He told me that I have no right to complain because they accessed my performance and paid me accordingly. He added that if I am not satisfied, I can quit.”

It was hard for me to believe what Lawson had just said. I could remember how desperately they pleaded with him before he accepted to work for them. He even became their church member.

“Did he really say that?” I asked.

“Yes and that was not all. The most painful part is that the pastor told me that I am greedy. He said that greed made me leave my former church. He added that if I am not careful, greed will ruin me,” Lawson said in a tone that aroused my pity.

“Aaaaah! That was too much,” I exclaimed but Lawson literally shut me up.

“Everything the pastor told me is the truth. The fault is mine. I sensed it in my spirit that God was not in support of the move I made. Even when you advised me to pray, I didn’t heed. I was blinded by money. Now, see where I have landed myself.”

“Apportioning blame is not the solution. I will advise that you seek God’s mercy and direction.” As I was talking, Lawson was nodding his head in agreement.

“You are right. I’m thinking of coming back to our church. My problem is our members, especially, Justine. How will I cope with Justine’s mockery?”

“The most important thing in life is to know the will of God and do it. That is why you need to sort things out with God and know what he is saying. Remember that the way of God is different from the way of man. The will of God may even be that you should stay in that church and work for him without payment. However, if He asks you to return to your roots, you have to obey. What anyone is going to say should not be your concern. The good news in that regard is that Justine is now a changed person.”

When I mentioned the fact that Justine has changed, Lawson laughed hysterically.

“Who changed? Can Justine change?”

“There is nothing that God cannot do. Justine came to me earlier today, pleading for forgiveness.”

Lawson disagreed with me. He accused Justine of having an ulterior motive. But I tried to convince him that I could sense genuine repentance in Justine.