The other day I was reflecting on the various headlines in the newspapers and I was struck by all the attention given to the coming elections.  One candidate wants this and one wants that.  One person promises this and one promises that.  One is in favor of this and another is in favor of that.  But what stood out was what I assume must be a tremendous amount of time needed for all of these debates and promise developments.  That led me to thinking.  Go with me for a bit.

You are the Chairman of the board of Nenego22 Corporation making top end products.  The President of the corporation has been called in to explain some of his actions in recent months.  The following conversation takes place:

      “Mr. Oran, it has come to our attention that you are rarely in your office.  That you have chosen to travel all over the state, talking to various groups seeking the top C.E.O. position at Nagihcim Corporation.  Your daily duties seem to have been given over to people we did not hire…you did…while you seek this new position. Is that true?”

      “Mr. Chairman and board members, I don’t really believe you have a right to tell me what I can and cannot do with my time.  I am after all still representing Nenego22 while I travel around even though I’m neglecting my daily affairs at the office.  I feel I have good people in place to make necessary decisions.”          

      “So, Mr. Oran, you don’t believe you should look for a new position on your own time but on Nenego22’s time all the while you are being paid by us.  Is that correct?  And you do not feel you owe us any explanation about how you spend your time or our money?  Is that correct?”  “You don’t feel you should resign your position with us so you can be honest about seeking a new job?  Is that correct?”

      “I normally like things black and white, but I prefer not to see things in such a clear light.  I guess put that way we seem to have a difference of opinion.

      “Mr. Oran, the board and I will be meeting briefly to decide your continued employment with us.  By your own admission we have very capable people doing your work, perhaps we’ll just hire them.  Anyway I have a feeling the board’s decision will be an easy one.”

  Now my conversation is obviously tongue in cheek, but it is humorous in a sad sort of way. No place of employment: School, Business, Hospital yes even church would allow its leadership to collect a paycheck with all of the perks of the position while the individual spent all of his/her time working for another job.  In politics however we allow it all the time and we allow individuals, while getting paid with our money, to raise additional funds that will never benefit the job we are paying for.  I know the scriptures say we are to “…obey our leaders and submit to them…(Hebrews 13:17), but their actions never ceases to amaze me.  Why do we allow it?  Just a thought...

 Pastor Mike