The Privilege Of Being In Ministry; The Fragrance Of His Knowledge; And The Great Invitation

GOD GAVE ME MONEY BUT I REFUSED

I was the most qualified at the interview. Several of the panelists already had a good report of me from their wives whom I had taught the "Physics of Home Economics" course in my service year. They even affirmed,

"Mr. Akaani, you have got the job. We actually need you and we want you. Our wives appreciate you teaching them physics."

I waited in vain for the letter of appointment to come. Others were appointed but not me. I was grossly disappointed because I had no "plan B." I had no other place to look unto except the Lord who has led me so clearly over the years and particularly to this point.

I was still waiting when all the money I had on me finished and all my toiletries were exhausted. I was left with only 30 kobo (the least denomination in the Nigerian currency, which is actually less than a cent or penny).

I was so frustrated to the point that I began to consider packing my baggage to relocate back to Ibadan where several disciples were waiting for me to return. As I prayed one afternoon, I told God,

"Is it because I have no transport fare to go anywhere that you are tying my life down in this place?"

Right away, God mobilized and moved a brother, who was working in a bank in town to come during his break time to bring me the transport fare. He walked into my room, while I was still on my knees and said,

"Bro. Gbile, the Lord told me to bring this money to you urgently and it is for the journey you are about to make. I need to rush back to my desk in the bank."

I trembled at what the Lord did and was afraid to touch the money or collect it from the brother, seeing it was a sponsorship for me to go out of the will of God. I begged the brother to hold on to the money as I was not ready to make any journey again.

As the brother left, I turned to the Lord in tears asking Him to forgive me. Though I had nothing to eat, I would not go away from His perfect will for my life. Then God began to speak again to me.

"It is not for lack of funds that I am keeping you here. If you want to go, you are free to go.

But anywhere you go, whatever you are doing, preaching, singing or teaching, it will be recorded in your secret file before Me, 'Gbile was posted to serve Me in Benue State but he has absconded.'

You may have all the money as you wish, but you will not have My Presence."

Extract from "He Leads Me" by Gbile Akanni