The way I see it, I do not believe that I will ever be rich. I am convinced that God in his wisdom, somehow knows that if he was ever to allow me to be the steward of a load of money, I would change for the worst. I would become mean and self-oriented.
You know, I once tried to convince God differently in prayer, when I asked him for plenty money and enumerated among the things I would have done with the money, was to help a particular family build a brand new home. I meant it…I meant every word, but the great God of the universe, who knows me better than I know myself, never allowed it to happen.
I figure that he knows me so well that he wants me to remain kind, courteous and loving …and poor… for good reason.
The good thing is: He supplies ALL of my NEEDS. I guess I just wanted a few wants thrown in the mix, but have thine own way Lord…
So with my limited resources, I am usually subjected to frequent requests for help and I do assist when and as far as I can.
I remember one day a young lady asked me if I can please give her $200.00 and she gave me a long, sad story which tugged at my heart strings but at the time, I was unable to help. I told her that I was unable to help and she literally screamed: “Somebody done bin tell me that you mean and you not going help me.” My quick response was: “Tell them that I can afford to be mean with what I worked hard for”. I don’t think she expected that response and that shut her up nicely.
Sometimes I am hurt by the word LOAN but I have come to realize that LOAN has a different meaning for some people. They would say LOAN and sometimes tell you that they will be paying you back by weekend and so forth but that weekend never comes and then they start avoiding you and then you lose another acquaintance.
I remember loaning a fella $400.00 to assist him with plans for his wedding. You know up to when he celebrated his 25th anniversary, he aint pay me back yet and did not even have the decency to invite me to the party?
Well I newa!
Now why am I bringing up this after so many years?
Recently, I was asked very nicely to submit news items to a particular media house, which I did consistently for two months. At the end of month one, the promised payment was not forthcoming but eventually the master mind behind the media house came up with a lengthy and ‘logical’ explanation and promised to compensate shortly.
At the end of two months, I am no longer hearing from him so I stopped submitting the items.
You know, he aint even call to say anything since that? Now, he apparently is assuming that now we have parted company, the money that is owed now becomes null and void!
But then again, that is the story of my life and I am always reminded of the biblical admonition: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’
However, some people close to me would say things like: “Curtis you too trupit! Don’t allow people to always walk pon you!”
I have also learnt that you never lend anyone any money that you cannot afford to part with, for good.
That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?