Ring! Ring!
Me: I.T. Department, this is Daniel. How can I help you, today?
Caller: Uhm, uh, Yes. Hello? Daniel? This is Pastor Smithers over at any Neighborhood Church. We have a computer that is giving us trouble. According to our secretary, the thing is possessed.
Me: OK, Pastor. Can you be bit more descriptive of what the computer is doing?
Pastor: Well, Mary said that every time she goes to get on the internet, the computer starts displaying the most disgusting images of a sexual nature. Every time she closes the program, the blue e? Well, it opens back up to more smut pages. It is quite disturbing to us. When can you come over to fix it?
Me: I can be there in about an hour, Pastor. It sounds to me like you have a computer virus. Has anyone else been using the computer, besides Mary?
Pastor: We do allow a couple of the congregation’s children use it for online ministry and homework. Things like that.
Me: OK. Sounds more and more like a simple virus. Hopefully, it has not caused any damage to your important files. I can be right over. There is someone there to let me gain access to the computer, right?
Pastor: Yes, Mary is there.
Me: Great. And does Mary have the ability to write me a check for this work, today? Or will I be invoicing you?
Pastor: A check? Invoice? You mean you are going to bill us for this?
Me: Well, yes, sir. Someone has to clean out the smut from that computer. Are you qualified to do such?
Pastor: OH. I see. And I hope you understand, this is a challenging time of the year for us. So many people in need of assistance. They need warm clothes and food and gifts for their children.
Me: Oh, Pastor, I understand far too well. When I was young, my family was one of those families helped by a church. As I was instructed, back then, I am working hard so I can help others. But I can not help others if my bills are not paid or if I end up on the street with those others you are helping.
Pastor: I’m sorry to hear that, Daniel. I was hoping you were a good Christian and would help the church.
Me: Pastor, I am a man struggling with my business. Time I spend working for you is time I am not spending working for another who will compensate me for my work. I recall Romans clearly states that for one who works, wages are not a gift, but his due.
Pastor: And Mathew told us that greatest amongst us was a servant to us.
Me: Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Pastor: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Me: Then Pastor should you instead be called ‘Master’ as you take from one to give to another, as you keep a piece for yourself? I think you should seek technology assistance from within your own congregation, sir. And recall your Galatians, please. Christ has set us free, do not submit to the yoke of slavery.
Pastor: Daniel, I apologize. I believe I may have offended you in some way. That was not my intention. It’s just that we are a small church and I was hoping to find you were a giving person.
Me: Pastor, I am. I give far too much to others and often pay for the consequences of that giving by being left wanting and without. As you pointed out, sir, this a time of year where many with much give and those in need receive. And yet, I am reminded that the man who does not work shall not eat. Sir, I am working. I am a small business. And there are expenses to servicing your computer that I can not afford to give, at this time. If you would like, I can and will clean up your system. But it will be neither free, not a gift.
Pastor: I think you are right. I should look for help, within my own house, before bringing in another.
Me: I understand, Pastor. Please call if you find you still need assistance.