Unfair: a Modern Parable About Personal Faith

Loveothers Center, South America, March 4.

“I can’t believe Corporate abandoned us. ” Dana slammed her hands onto the desk. “We won’t last two weeks. What are we going to do?”

“You checked with all these previous donors?” Zeli flipped through the stack of files.

“Nobody has extra cash right now. Corporate was our last hope.”

“I don’t understand. Corporate funded other centers near us.” Zeli shook her head. “Look, Dana, I have some money in savings. Fly back to the States. Convince them. These kids deserve a chance to survive.”

“Wait. Savings. I can’t believe I forgot. When I moved here, I asked Corporate to direct-deposit my salary. It should be enough to tide us over.” Dana’s fingertips danced over the laptop keys.

“Here it is—wait. What? How can it be zero balance?”

“Corporate won’t answer your messages and they haven’t paid you in years?” Zeli leaned over the computer, frowning. “Are you sure this company is legit? And how did you not notice missing paychecks?”

“I never touched the account. Our fundraising covered everything, until now. I just, you know, got busy taking care of the kids.”

Zeli rolled her eyes. “Book the flight. And maybe call a lawyer.”  

***

LovEOthers HEadquarters, United States, March 6

Late afternoon sun glinted off the Corporate building. Staring up, Dana shielded her eyes. “Seventeen stories of glass and chrome, but you don’t have the budget to feed starving kids? We’ll see about that.”

The revolving door whooshed behind her like an airlock.

“LoveOthers Corporate, please hold.” The receptionist pressed a button on his headset and looked up. His wide smile faltered as Dana stalked across the lobby.

“Hi, how can I help you?”

Dana planted her palms on the front desk. “Corporate forgot to pay me, and I need access to emergency funds before my kiddos starve.”

Eyes wide, the admin dialed a number. “Hi. Ms. Scott? We need you. Uh, now.”

***

LoveOthers HQ, Human Resources Department, March 6

Ms. Scott, head of Human Resources, leaned forward in her desk chair.

“I understand you’re missing some paychecks. Tell me everything, and I’ll see what I can do.”

“I’ve directed the biggest LoveOthers center in South America for the last five years. I’ve never asked Corporate for a cent. I’ve used my own contacts and raised funds without Corporate assistance. I own a building and I have fifteen paid staff. Local government officials have recognized my LoveOthers center as the city’s premier charity for three years running.” Dana couldn’t smother her proud grin.

“We feed hundreds of kiddos daily, more than any other center in the country.”

She folded her arms, leaning back in her chair. “But now, we need help, and on top of Corporate’s refusal to provide funding, I haven’t been paid. Ever. I checked my account two days ago. The balance is a big fat zero.”

“Sounds like you’re doing great work for us.” Ms. Scott tapped her keyboard, scanning the monitor.

“I’m sorry, Dana, but I can’t find you listed as an employee. Do you have a copy of your contract?”

“Oh!” Dana laughed. “I never signed a contract. Corporate offered me a position here, but South America had greater needs. I sent an annual report to Corporate, outlining our work.”

“You never signed a contract?” Ms. Scott grimaced. “Dana, without a contract, you don’t work for LoveOthers.”

“Of course I do. All my work was under the LoveOthers Corporate umbrella. The long nights, the fundraising. Reaching children, connecting with families, providing food and clean water—I did everything in the name of LoveOthers. I just need to collect my paycheck.” Steel straps tightened around Dana’s rib cage as she studied Ms. Scott’s face.

“I’m sorry. The work you did, I mean, it’s great, but as far as I can tell, you were never a LoveOthers employee.”

“You don’t understand.” Tears escaped, rolling down Dana’s cheeks. “I’ve done it ALL for LoveOthers! How can you say I don’t represent LoveOthers? LoveOthers is my life!”

Ms. Scott raised a hand. “Okay, just to confirm, let’s run through it again. Corporate offered you a position, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Did you sign a contract to accept?”

“No. I left to start the center.”

“Did you have a conversation with the president or create an agreement about your work in South America?”

“No, but I sent a letter to his attention every year, outlining our accomplishments. I’m sure he’ll be happy to clear up the misunderstanding.” Dana wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Did the president ever answer you? Send you an email? A letter?”

Dana straightened, digging through her bag. “Oh, yes, here, I kept all his letters. See? They have his signature—”

Ms. Scott rifled through the sheaf of papers, frowning. “These update letters are sent to anyone on our mailing list. Did you ever receive correspondence from Corporate to you, personally?”  

“Well, no. Like I said, after Corporate offered me a position, I moved to South America to start a LoveOthers center. I’ve done great work for LoveOthers.”

“Yes, but you were never a legal LoveOthers employee.” Ms. Scott reached for her phone.

“You built your own organization using false credentials, misrepresenting yourself as connected with LoveOthers. You may have put Corporate at serious risk. I have to call our legal team.”

“But, wait! I love LoveOthers.” Dana sobbed. “I can’t believe this is happening. You won’t recognize the work I’ve done? All that time. All the effort. All of it, for nothing?”

“I’m so sorry, Dana. I realize you meant no harm. But you never created a personal connection with the company.”

Two security guards appeared in the doorway.

The room spun. Dana leaned forward, wrapping her arms around her knees. “But I work for LoveOthers! I do!”

“I can’t tell you how much this breaks my heart, Dana, but you don’t. Corporate offered you a contract. An opportunity. A relationship. We wanted to partner with you. We made you an offer. All you had to do was accept, but you chose instead to follow your own path.”

“NO! You can’t make me leave. I spent five years of my life working in the name of LoveOthers. Corporate owes me back pay. My center needs emergency funding. Please.”

“I wish the circumstances were different. I’ll check into helping the center, but you need to leave.” Ms. Scott stood, waving the security guards forward. “Please escort Ms. Price from the premises.”

***

“You want a ‘kingdom of heaven’ membership for calling yourself a Christian? Think you’re ‘in’ just because you tell people you follow Me? I’ve got news for you: only people who do the will of my Father gain entrance to heaven. Many will say, ‘But, Jesus, look at all the work I did for you.’ And my answer will be, ‘Nope. I never even met you.'” –Jesus, speaking in Matthew 7:21-23. (Becky’s No-Nonsense Paraphrase)

If you ever feel some ideas in the Bible are difficult to understand, trust me–you’re not alone. Not ever.

Dana’s story isn’t over. Read the rest here.