Wisdom Is The Principal Thing

 

Sometimes the problems you have in the cities are the same in the rural communities, especially when it comes to behavioral issues. When I arrived at the village church, I met the treasurer, the interpreter and some aides to the previous pastor. After some interactions with them, I decided to retain them in their positions. I did not know there had been some grumbling among the members about personal recognition and titles in the small church in the community.

After a while, I started hearing murmurings leading to quarrels among the men. Sometimes some sets would antagonize the other for no reason. I interrogated a few of them and could not seem to figure it out. I prayed that God should help solve this mystery.

 Some weeks after, a group of three men called aside for a meeting. One of them told me he was the first member of the church. They complained they were ignored in the positions in the church. They specifically criticized me for letting the treasurer alone handle all the cash (as if it was a considerable amount of money) being collected in the church. I told them I met the structure like that as set up by the previous pastor and since they were doing well, there was no point fixing what was not broken. They insisted that new leadership must bring about change in the structure. They emphasized that a lot of people were not happy, but they were the ones that decided to tell me as it was not right to bear a grudge. All these they said through their interpreter. Then I figured out what the problem was-control! They had also infiltrated the minds of some other members, and there seemed to be chaos brewing up in the church. I needed to fix it, and I prayed that God should help me.

I discussed the issue with the oldest member of the church. He was a man full of wisdom and charisma. He told me not to ignore them but that he knew they were selfish in their intentions. He advised me to test them with a small task, and if they succeeded, I should give them more significant tasks. He couldn’t read or write, but he had just inadvertently quoted from the scriptures.

 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches” Luke 16:10-11

 I called a meeting the following Sunday to discuss the building project. We had reached the lintel level, and we need to cast the concrete for the lintels. All parties were present. The group that called me aside for a meeting were there, led by their leader. I decided to constitute a building committee and made the leader of the dissenting group the chairman. I gave him ten thousand naira (N10,000.00) to commence the casting the concrete. I knew it was a lot of money to him but it was an acid test to see how he would fare. That was the last I heard of him for several months. The project was not done. The money was not refunded. I sent people to him several times and he would send them back that he was busy with some things.

I called for a meeting of the members to review the building project and it had not progressed. When I asked them for the reason, they said “chairman don waka with the money”. Of course, we removed him as head of the building committee. The elderly man then spoke that henceforth all cash and cash related matters should be handled by the treasurer, and they all agreed in unison. All the dissenting members now saw the truth and decided that the treasurer, who never had any issue with cash handling, was suitable for the job.

That was how a potential mutiny was averted in our little cosy village church. Glory to God for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Thanks also to the eldest man in the church, Pa Haruna, who has gone to be with the Lord. Continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus till we meet again. I miss you.

 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7