Like Sheep Gone Astray by Lesile J. Sherrod Read Free Book Online Page A

step down,” Anthony continued, “at least for now, for a little while, until I finish dealing with a situation that I brought upon myself.”
    “A situation?” Pastor Green questioned.
    “Yes, I—” Anthony was not sure where to begin. “See, six months ago, as you know, I was working for the marketing firm of Shaw Enterprises. I was their senior marketing director and I oversaw every project that came through our door. I made the majority of the hard decisions when it came down to what projects and accounts we would undertake. My colleagues and supervisors respected my choices and, as a result, gave me a lot of leeway. They trusted me to always keep the interests of the company first, above everything else.”
    Pastor Green nodded. “I knew that you had a powerful and influential position at Shaw. When you resigned, I assumed it was because you were seeking God's direction for your life. I thought maybe God was telling you to leave so you could devote more of your time and energy to His calling for you to preach. I marveled at the speed with which you left your employer, thinking that you were fervently taking a giant leap of faith to fulfill what God Himself had impressed upon your heart. Was there another reason why you left?” Pastor Green's hands were clasped together as if in prayer.
    Anthony sat staring at the floor. “When I initially accepted the call to preach last year, God told me that I was going to have to make hard choices, far more difficult than any I had made before at Shaw. I didn't realize then the test that was coming.” Anthony drew his eyes slowly back to the pastor's. “You know how serious I've been about being successful.”
    “There's nothing wrong with having money or status as long as we realize we are
stewards
of whatever He gives us. Everything we have belongs to Him.” Pastor Green nodded. “God has already
placed
us in a high status, a heavenly ranking, a position of authority in His Kingdom that comes with being born again. And He gives us blessings—both material and spiritual—so that we can add to His Kingdom and enjoy His abundance. Money and status are things God can give us to use for Himself.”
    Pastor Green leaned forward in his chair. “But they are only of value for His Kingdom when we have the right perspective. That is, God and His purposes and not ours must come first.”
    “You're right, Pastor,” Anthony stated. “I guess that's where I've fallen. Remember that last sermon Minister Porter preached before the cancer really took its hold, the sermon he gave on Luke chapter eighteen, verses eighteen through twenty-seven?”
    “I remember.” Pastor Green closed his eyes as he spoke. “That was a powerful message. Bernard really brought to life the rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life. He had honored the law and he was a good man by our standards. But when Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor and follow Him, the scripture says the man was very sorrowful.”
    “As I would be too.” Anthony shook his head, a distant look etched on his baby-faced features. “To tell you the truth, I was relieved when Bernard explained how the issue wasn't getting rid of all of his riches to be saved, but rather, the state of his heart. What was more important to him, following Jesus or keeping his money? Had his money and prestige become a hindrance for him to trust and obey God? I listened to that sermon just like everyone else that Sunday. Said ‘Amen,’] ‘Hallelujah,’] even did a little two-step when Bernard gave his final point. Then the Lord flipped the script on me that very week, six months ago. He asked me what would I do with my money and my position when it came down to serving Him.”
    Anthony's eyes dropped to the floor again and landed on the briefcase next to his feet. “Pastor Green, are you familiar with the new Stonymill light rail expansion that is being constructed?”
    “Stonymill?