Serial The Anointed: 9. Betrayed By The Anointed

A silhouette of a man lifting his hands in worship against a backdrop of an evening sky. Next to this man are the words: "The Anointed - a faith-based serial." — Follow along with this thrilling serial about the highs and lows of Pastor John.

From the Joy Church, we received a donation of ten thousand dollars for our missional church planting project in Philadelphia. As a team, we discuss the options for what we can do with such a large amount of money. But did we celebrate too soon?

When I get home, I tell our church planting team about the great donation we received for our work. We immediately start planning how to best spend this money. We decide to use the ten thousand dollars to rent a shop space for a year and create a permanent place for our prayer room, where we can pray 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With great enthusiasm, we start looking for a suitable space.

‘We decide to use the ten thousand dollars to rent a shop space for a year and create a permanent place for our prayer room.’

However, two months later, there’s still no money. I call the receptionist at the Joy Church who connects me with Claire, John’s personal assistant. Claire greets me enthusiastically and promises that the money will be transferred as soon as possible.

A month later, a letter arrives. In it, they express how happy they are to give us a thousand dollars for our wonderful church planting ministry among the poor. A thousand dollars is great, but it’s not the ten thousand dollars we were promised. Indeed, a thousand dollars is deposited into our bank account that same week.

‘I feel robbed. They’re not getting away with this! People have died for less…’

I’m surprised. I could swear they had given me a check for ten thousand euros. We check on the internet. The Joy Church has a website where you can watch all their services. The service I attended is quickly found in the archive. Yes, it definitely says ten thousand dollars and not a thousand dollars on the check. I’m not crazy after all! I feel robbed. Jessie, my wife, tries to convince me to let it go, but they’re not getting away with this. For the church and local television to show everyone they’re giving ten thousand dollars, and then withhold nine thousand dollars. People have died for less…

The following week, I drive to the Joy Church in New York. I don’t call John because I know from experience that then you never get a hold of him. I want to see him. It’s a weekday, but I suspect John will be there. It’s a gamble, but for nine thousand dollars, I’m willing to take it. Although I see his car in his parking spot, his secretary tries to dismiss me. “Pastor John is really not available. He’s in a meeting. You can’t see him without an appointment.”

‘She’s not calling the police, is she? That would be something.’

My patience runs out. “Listen, I know where his office is. I’m going to him now.” As I storm past her towards John’s office, she gives in. “Please take a seat. I’ll call him and ask if he can come now.” She dials a number, covers her mouth with her hand, and looks at me urgently a few times. She’s not calling the police, is she? That would be something. But no, within two minutes, a surprised John is standing next to the receptionist.

“I’m in a meeting, but you wanted to speak to me urgently?” John looks at me indignantly. “Yes, there’s a little problem with the donation you gave to our work a few months ago when I was here in church.” I show him the letter. John’s face turns angry. “What’s the problem?” I explain that I received a check for ten thousand dollars during the service, but the letter states we only got a thousand dollars. Why do I suddenly feel like a huge beggar? John’s eyebrows shoot up. “Ten thousand dollars! As a church, we usually give a thousand dollars per mission project and certainly not ten thousand dollars. Are you sure?”

“I feel like a little boy who’s been scolded by the teacher, but I stand tall.”

Am I crazy? Did I get it all wrong? “Wait, I can show you. It’s on your website. The service I attended is still there. I looked just yesterday. There, you can clearly see that it says ten thousand dollars on the check. We can look at it now.” I point to the computer next to the secretary. John doesn’t seem interested. “How unfortunate! You know what, I’ll follow up and solve it. Agreed?” I feel like a little boy who’s been scolded by the teacher, but I stand tall. “That would be nice. It’s a very large amount.” John nods and shakes my hand. “Then I’ll go back to my meeting. See you next time, Matt.”

‘Instead of paying the nine thousand dollars, he removed the evidence.’

With a heavy heart, I drive back home. I feel guilty for barging into the church to assert my rights. At the same time, I wonder if John will really solve it. It’s still nine thousand dollars. But John keeps his word… he indeed follows up immediately. That evening, when I check the Joy Church’ s site, I’m surprised to see that the broadcast of the service I attended is no longer on the site. All other broadcasts are still there! Instead of paying the nine thousand dollars, he removed the evidence. It seems so unfair…

I’m furious. I don’t get angry easily, but this crosses the line. I’m ready to let everyone know what he’s done to me. I’ll show him! To receive the honor, cheers, and applause for such a large donation of ten thousand dollars, but ultimately not pay the cost. I know we can kiss that money goodbye. It will never be sent from Joy. I immediately sit down at my computer to write a sharp article.

“Sharp words appear on my screen. When I turn around, I see Jessie crying.”

Jessie comes up behind me and places her hand on my shoulder. She says nothing but watches as sharp words appear on my screen. Yes, I can’t work like this. I can’t write with someone watching. When I turn around, I see her crying. “Are you also angry about what he’s done to us?” She shakes her head quietly. “I feel sorry for you. I see you feel betrayed. I see what it does to you.” She points to the screen. “That’s not your style at all. I don’t see any of Matt there, just your anger.”

I try to explain how angry I am and that I finally have ammunition to get him. I’m going to nail him. But as I say this, I hear how terrible it sounds. Nailing reminds me of crucifying. Do I want to crucify John for nine thousand dollars? Is that the attitude of a follower of Jesus? Jessie sits down next to me. “How long have we been living off donations? More than twenty years. We’ve never asked anyone for money, but God has always taken care of us. We’ve always had enough and extra to give away. We’re not dependent on that ten thousand dollars. We’re dependent on God.”

‘Nailing John to the shame pole to vent your anger and perhaps get the money this way is not the way of Jesus.’

“Yes, but John has deceived us and his whole church community,” I rage. “That’s John’s responsibility towards God. Let’s take the lower path. You may have ammunition against John now, but let’s give this ammunition to God. We’re not going to play judge. Let’s let God be the judge. God will deal with John and he will have to answer for his actions. Nailing John to the shame pole to vent your anger and perhaps get the money this way is not the way of Jesus.”

Jessie is right. How I should react differently, I don’t know yet. But we agree to keep this injustice to ourselves and only make it known to God.

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Matt Vlaardingerbroek, a former seasoned church planter and pastor in Holland’s inner cities, brings Bible stories to life through ventriloquism and magic. He’s authored three books, and founded www.creativekidswork.com, providing over 1,500 innovative Sunday school activities worldwide.