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 b
uilding 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. Gen
try 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.
