The Orchard

Gentry was relieved to see the narrow path below him. The gentle slope of the hill gave Gentry time to consider his journey so far. He was angry with himself for not following the scrolls and falling into Religiosity’s trap. The journey has only just begun and he felt exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Gentry wondered if he would have the strength to continue if the rest of the journey was like the beginning. He was determined, though, to get to his destination.

Before Gentry realized what happened, he found himself at the entrance to the orchard. He has already learned to be vigilant even when things seem at peace. But as Gentry entered the orchard, there were no dragons in sight. He walked for a short distance and then decided to sit under a nearby tree. Gentry ate until he was filled and sat back and fell asleep. After what seemed like an eternity, Gentry awoke. The sky was getting dark and Gentry convinced himself that this was a good place to make camp and that he would get an early start tomorrow.

When the next morning came, the birds were singing and the sun was shining. It has been a long time since Gentry felt this much at peace. After a leisurely breakfast of local fruit, Gentry was going to begin his journey again. As he stood to gather his belongings, Gentry looked down the narrow path which seemed so long and rough. Gentry told himself that he needed some more recuperation time. After all, he deserved it and there were no dragons around, so it was safe. So instead of heading out on the journey, Gentry made camp again. This time gathering supplies, just in case he decided to stay for a while.

Gentry filled his time with gathering food and constructing a larger shelter. He gathered vegetation for comfortable bedding and even made a chair from some of the local timber. Gentry was making the orchard home, after all, with the journey so far, Gentry deserved a comfortable place to relax.

Often times, this happens to us. We get into a place of rest and confuse it for our final destination. God provides time for rest on the journey; however, it is never intended to be the final goal. People often get a “good job” thinking that they have arrived. Their pay is more than they ever had in the past and they are comfortable perhaps for the first time in their lives.

When people settle on their way with their financial journey, they typically begin to accumulate things and the debt that comes with it. They feel that they have sufficient income to support the things they want and that they deserve. They become focused on the here and now and not on the final destination of financial peace and security. We start to rely on our jobs, thinking that we will be there forever. Market conditions, layoffs and mergers are for other people. We want to know how to live now. Sure we talk about moving forward, but we never seem to get started.

“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Prov 21:20

Very soon, our lives start to rotate around the very things that were to provide us comfort. We end up working harder to maintain what we have, rather than using the energy to establish financial freedom. We settle for being comfortable and for the here and now. Our goal of financial freedom often turns into a wish as life consumes us. Energy that could be used to take us down the path to our destination is being spent on leisure.

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Prov 6: 10-11

No matter what the leisure activity is, there is always more to obtain. For instance, we work hard to have a television. Once we own a television, we look around and find that there is a newer model that is larger. So we work for that. Then we decide that we need a second television. So we purchase one. By this time, our original television is a few years old and we decide to replace it with a newer model. Now there is nothing wrong with owning a television or any leisure activity. However, the harder you work for comfort and relaxation, the more it demands from you.

Gentry spent more and more time improving his shelter and gathering supplies. He used his sword to chop some of the higher branches of the orchard while utilizing his shield as a platter to carry things back to camp. Soon both his sword and shield were in disrepair. Gentry did not seem to mind though, after all, he did not see any dragons.

The seasons changed and soon the orchard, which seemed to have everything that Gentry needed, was drying up. Gentry saw the change, but did not want to admit the reality that was happening. After all, the orchard had taken care of him so far, why should he think that anything would change now? Then it happened, the orchard had no more fruit to give. Gentry searched everywhere for the food and comfort which came so easily in the beginning. But there was none.

As Gentry was searching his shelter, which was now a cabin, for food he found the scrolls that he had long forgotten about. Carefully he opened them. He read about dragons and fighting, but most important, he read about the journey. As he read about the orchard, there was a warning. The orchard was to be used as a short time of rest, but its primary purpose was to provide supplies for the long and difficult part of the journey to come. Gentry’s heart sank. What had he done?

As Gentry sat discouraged, a mist formed a familiar shape in front of his cabin. As it took shape, Gentry saw a sly smile form. He knew that this must be a dragon, so he instinctively grabbed his sword and shield. The blade on his sword was dull and the straps that held his shield close to his body were in disrepair. Gentry looked pitiful as he spoke to the mist and demanded to know the dragon’s name.

Out of the mist a shape emerged. I am Comfort. As Gentry raised his sword to do battle, Comfort laughed as he said, “Boy, the battle is already over and I own you.” The words struck home with Gentry. After what seemed like an eternity, Gentry found the courage to say that he was leaving the orchard. Comfort laughed again. There are no bars or anything holding you here, but yourself. You can leave at any time you chose. However, the journey is rough and you no longer have any supplies. Why not wait until next season when you have more?

Gentry thought about that suggestion long and hard. He realized though, that the longer he stayed, the more difficult it would be to leave. He gathered his sword and shield and the few supplies he had left and headed down the path. Comfort called to him and told him that he would keep his cabin safe for him in case he wanted to return.

Gentry stopped long enough to repair his shield and sharpen his sword. He committed to himself to never take them off and always have them ready for battle. The path was getting rocky and steep. The trees were getting sparse. There was no food and little vegetation. The scrolls spoke of the barren land that he must cross. Gentry turned and looked back. Comfort had been following Gentry. Gentry had to make a choice. He could choose to head down the road and possibly starve or he could turn around and stay with Comfort. With a loud scream, he pushed on down the path. Not knowing if he just signed his death warrant.

Battling Religiosity

The battle with Indecision exhausted Gentry. He was physically and emotionally drained as the new dragon, Religiosity, approached him. Gentry’s hand gripped his sword tighter prepared for an attack from Religiosity. Religiosity stopped outside of Gentry’s striking range, held up his hands and told Gentry that he meant him no harm. Only when Gentry saw that Religiosity had no visible weapon, did he begin to put down his guard.


Religiosity was a large dragon, strong and viral. He wore well tailored clothing that only enhanced his strong features. He carried himself in a regal nature with a certainty about each step. His voice was deep, calming and confident. Religiosity was much larger than Gentry and Gentry was relieved when Religiosity said that he only wanted to accompany Gentry on his journey.

After a short time of walking together, Religiosity asked Gentry about his journey. As Gentry spoke of the Wise One, Religiosity asked if he had a guide to take him through all of the perils that lie ahead. Gentry reached into his waistcoat pulling out two small scrolls that he was given before he left his village. The elder of the village told him that everything that he may need would be found in the scrolls. Religiosity raised his hand and told Gentry to put the scrolls away. Religiosity stopped and looked directly at Gentry and told him that he knows the scrolls well and that Gentry should keep them safe. Religiosity also offered to be Gentry’s guide helping him to avoid the pitfalls along the way.

Gentry was nervous about this, but Religiosity was powerful and confident and seemed to know the land. Gentry gave in and began to follow Religiosity. On several occasions, as they traveled, the path would fork. Each time Religiosity would take the well worn, highly traveled path. This concerned Gentry because he remembered the elder’s counsel about staying on the narrow course. Each time Gentry would question Religiosity’s choice, all Religiosity would say is that he knows these paths well and assured Gentry that he had his best interest at heart.

Gentry began to think that he made a mistake by following Religiosity. Gentry thought about turning back when they came upon a small clearing. Within the clearing was a small town with several buildings and a beautiful town square. Religiosity pointed to a small building near the edge of the town and told Gentry that this was the destination Gentry sought. Gentry entered the building and stood near some pleasant looking people looking out of the buildings windows. As people would pass by, comments were made by the group. A merchant passed by with a cart full of wares he intended to sell. The people chastised him because of what he owned; while another passed by with nothing and the people would exalt them claiming that their faith must be strong. As Gentry looked closer, he noticed something that he had not noticed before. Each person within the room was wearing shackles. No one seemed to notice the shackles they were wearing, as if they have just grown accustomed to wearing them. Gentry looked down at his wrists and ankles and noticed his own set of shackles emerging.

All too often, we stop reading the scripture and just begin to rely on what others tell us as truth. Many times, what others tell us is a repetition of what they have heard with little backing within the scriptures. Just as Gentry was seduced to travel down a well worn path, we tend to follow what others say rather than leaning on what God has instructed in His word. We become comfortable and not willing to study for ourselves. When we do read the scriptures, we read it with an idea of how does this fit into my preconceived beliefs and not in a search for truth.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17

Some of the more common beliefs that religiousness would place on people are things like, “It is more spiritual to be poor”, “You should not want nice things because you do not want to be materialistic” and “Financial issues are carnal and I would rather focus on spiritual things.” People use these beliefs to justify their position and situations. It is easy to get caught up in religiosity confusing it with the relationship we were designed to have with God.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7

Religiosity is a set of manmade rules, telling people how to live. The focus of religiousness is looking and acting “righteous” so that we can compare ourselves with others. Working in the financial arena, religiosity expresses itself more as a justification for people’s current situation. People often use religious terminology to explain away their struggles. After all, if you believe that it is more spiritual to be poor, this provides ample reasoning as to why you are in your situation. It must be because God has placed you there because He wants you to be spiritual. The lack of finances has become the spiritual barometer.

Let me be very clear on this point. What you have or do not have has no bearing on your relationship with God. Possessions, in and among themselves, are not a good measure of anyone’s relationship with God. Someone who has very little may have a deep and intense friendship with God, but so can someone that is more affluent. God does not measure by our possessions but by the heart. How much value you place on the things in your life is a much better measuring stick than what you own. Often times, it is the people with less that place a higher value on things.

What does have a direct bearing on your spiritual life is how well you manage what God has given to you, better known as stewardship. Stewardship is not an external comparison of people and their possessions. Stewardship is an inward assessment, asking if we are managing everything that God has given to us to His honor and Glory. Religiosity would have you look at others and compare while stewardship has you look within.

Gentry started to struggle to break free from his bondage. As the chains started to snap, the others in the room encouraged Gentry to place them back on. They showed off their chains as if they were trophies to be admired. Finally, the last chain broke and Gentry found himself in the same courtyard that he entered. This time, the courtyard was not so pleasant. The buildings were falling down and decaying. The clothing that people wore so proud were actually rags. The streets were full of mud and sewage. Gentry wondered how he could have been so blinded. Gentry could hear the roar of Religiosity at the edge of town behind him. Gentry pulled his sword and turned to fight, but what he found surprised him. He saw Religiosity for who he was, weak and frail, barely able to hold his sword in the air.

Gentry approached Religiosity thinking that he may still have to fight. But as he drew closer, Religiosity dropped his sword. He had no more power. Gentry just pushed past Religiosity and began to look again for the narrow pathway. At first Gentry could not understand what made the change. Why was religiosity and the town so vibrant when he first saw them? How did they change so quickly? Gentry realized that it was not Religiosity that had changed, but Gentry himself. When he decided to follow Religiosity, he empowered him. By breaking free of the chains, Gentry’s self-imposed blinders were removed, allowing him to see how frail and empty Religiosity really was.

As he was pondering all of this, Gentry found himself at the top of a gentle hill. His heart sang as he saw the narrow path below him passing through a lush wild orchard full of all kinds of fruits. Gentry was tired and relieved to have found the path again. However, Gentry learned that no matter how things seem, be on guard for what may present itself. Was there a dragon in the orchard? Gentry did not know. All he knew was that he had to get back on the path.