DoublePortion_October2023_8.5x5.5_REV.indd

God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24). Later in His ministry, Jesus told the RichYoung Ruler, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21).Tragically, the prosperous lad walked away grieving because he was a person of great wealth. Thankfully, Instead of walking away from God’s call griev ing, Elisha walked toward His call anticipating.Yet, there would be other issues to face, such as: Security - Elijah not only walked away from a prosperous situation, but a secure one as well. No doubt his father Shaphat was a respected and upstanding man in the community. Many great relationships and a large amount of community capital had amassed over the years– lots to walk away from. In early 2017, after serving nearly 18 years at the First Baptist Church in a small county seat town in Northwest Georgia, answering a fresh call from God, my wife and I moved to the out skirts of metro Atlanta. She left a school where she had taught the entire time we were there. I was not only a church pastor, but com munity pastor as well,serving on boards, active in a civic club, and chaplain of the football team. Add to that, familiarity with doctors, dentists, mechanics, plumbers, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Our daughters were grown and gone.We knew it was right. But I didn’t realize how much that predictability, security, familiar ity, and even notoriety had become a stronghold in my life. Now, six years later, we find ourselves in another season--re tirement. Medicare is about to kick in. Is it time to start Social Security? How much will I have to supplement by way of part time work? And the first question a financial planner is going to ask people at this stage, “How much income are you going to need to live on?” Oh, how we love our security.A former Governor of Con-

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