FOUR THINGS I HAVE LEARNED

IN MY "ON THE JOB" TRAINING

By DR. MORRIS O. WRIGHT, Pastor

KEY WEST BAPTIST TEMPLE -- KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33045

PHONE: 305.294.3411

1. That the people will do what they want to do.

That may not seem much to you, but barring a few reasons, and few exceptions in every case, it doesn't do you any good to fret and fuss about those who miss church on a given day, because a man is going to do what he wants to do. So forget it. Fussing at the Lords day crowd in the evening service (those who choose to come) is just pain dumb,to say nothing of the wasted time. So relax! "Vengeance is mine, I shall repay saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19)

2. Never expect the "well off" in your congregation to meet a financial need that may arise.

I remember how I used to sit and figure how we were going to raise a substantial amount of money for a need of the church. I thought the folks with good businesses would surely rise to the call and give a lot and the need would easily be met. I remember the let down when the offering was taken and not one cent came from the well off, but from the blue collar down. The truth was, I had several businesses represented in my congregation and just one of them could have easily met the entire need. But I soon learned to look to God and not to man at all. But the little man always met the need. That is not to say some people with money have not helped the church. They surely have, but it is the exception, not the rule.

3. The ones you do the most for will be the first to turn on you.

That indeed baffled me until one day a wise older preacher solved the problem. He explained that the folks you help get so indebted to you, and with no way to possibly pay you, will find some flaw in your character they can charge you with and that will bring you down to their level . . . and zappo – all debts are canceled. It makes sense and is a fact. We preachers must never be a little providence to the people. When God is disciplining them, we step in and meet the need that God created to discipline them, and we erase any conviction the Holy Spirit used to humble them.

4. I have learned much more, but here is the last one for this article and it is a biggie. You never lose a friend, you merely discover an enemy.

This is as true as the day is long. A true friend will never cease to be your friend, regardless of what happens. You see, friendship is built, not upon the other person pleasing you but you loving them through the eyes of God. We all fail sometime. We are mortal. We make mistakes and we trip over our feet. Thank God for friends that have proven to be my friends by their steadfastness through the years despite my failing or mis-steps.

And I have a lot of friends, much more than my fair share. If a person is your friend now, they will be through thick and thin. After all, who needs a friend when everything is going good. We need a friend when we are in trouble. I have made it my business to be a friend to whomsoever God sends my way. If someone turns on you when you are down, they were never your real friend and the sooner you learn who they are, the better off you are. Treat your enemy as a friend. Let him know you are a real friend whether he is or not. God bless all of you.