Good News from the Sorong Congregation - Rotua Manalu

Money Is Not Everything

“Money is not everything.” We often hear this sentence. But how often do we see someone truly live it out? To get money, most people are willing to justify any means, even when those means are wrong and contrary to God’s Word.

Brother Romulus Manalu is our brother who only recently made the decision to become a disciple of Jesus in November 2015. Before studying God’s Word, Tua (as our brother is called) used to receive a share (money) from his coworkers. Tua knew that the money had been obtained dishonestly from the company where they worked. Almost every day Tua received a share of that money.

After studying God’s Word, Tua understood that this was a sin that would damage his relationship with God because it was contrary to His Word. In Leviticus 19:11 God says that we must not steal. If he took a share of the money, he would be breaking the Word and that would grieve God’s heart. Tua had to resist the temptation from his coworkers who kept offering him a share of the money.

The Lord is amazing, our brother was finally able to refuse his friends’ offer! When his friends asked why he suddenly no longer wanted to receive his share, Tua answered that he was studying God’s Word and wanted to begin living righteously. Tua tried to resist temptation and kept striving to live out the Word.

The next challenge Tua faced was an offer of a job transfer. The company where he worked offered to transfer Tua to another city with a higher salary. Tua refused the offer because he knew it would affect the spiritual life he was building. Tua was more afraid of losing the congregation that could help his spiritual growth than of losing his job. For most people, of course, that decision would be deeply regretted, but not for our brother Tua Romulus. When his supervisor asked why he did not accept the offer, he answered “I found a community that has helped me draw near to God, and I do not want to lose them.”

When we do our part, God will do His part. Tua decided to take up his cross and keep following Christ. God saw His servant’s effort and God worked. In the end, our brother was able to keep working at that company even though he refused to be transferred.

Tua faced quite a few challenges from his coworkers and his office. Even though he had less than usual, Tua realized that money is indeed needed, but money is not everything.

Glory to God alone!

Greetings from the Sorong Congregation!