The day I caught our church treasurer dipping his hand into outreach money

Back in 2019, I was assistant pastor at a small branch in Enugu. Young, eager, still had that fire to change everything. The youth outreach fund was supposed to feed 200 kids in the inner city for a holiday program.

One evening, I needed a receipt for some materials. The treasurer, Brother Obinna, a man everyone respected, said he'd bring it the next day. Something felt off. I checked the records. The money we'd raised for months was almost gone.

My heart sank. I confronted him quietly, not in front of the elders. He laughed at first. Then he said, 'Pastor, church money is for church people. I have needs too.'

I stood there, frozen. This was the man who prayed for me when I joined ministry. I told him, 'Brother, the children are waiting.' He gave me a look I won't forget and said he'd replace it in two weeks. He never did. He resigned quietly, and the elders never knew why.

That season taught me that grace and accountability must walk together. You can forgive, but you must also draw a line. The kids still got their program, but barely. I still pray for Obinna. And I still check the books.