Just the other day, I walked into a store to buy staples. At the cashier’s register, was a container with pennies, and a piece of paper that read thus:
If you want a penny……..Take one!
If you want two…………Take two!
If you want three———-Get yourself a job!
Mmmmm….! “I thought to myself!” ” I really think that this makes a lot of sense,!” I whispered to myself as I paid for the staples and left!
On my way home from the store, I recalled of a story! It was a story that took place when I was a student at Andrews University,Berrien Springs,Michigan!
There was this student who timed his visits to other students homes always at lunch time! Why! So that he would find something to eat; nothing wrong except for the fact that he went around bragging that there was no need for him to buy food as he would easily eat anywhere!
When word went around,no one was willing to accept his visitation anymore; leave alone giving him something to eat!.
Writing to the Thessalonian believers, the apostle Paul said, “For even when we were with you ,this we commanded you,that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10.)
What if anything does all these imply? While, I am a stronger believer of helping those in needy and can deny myself basic needs so as to help, the following have been and remain great concerns! It seems to me that many people are too careless when it comes to spending hand outs! Reflect on the following:
1.Whenever there is a fundraiser for such things as funeral,pre-wedding, wedding, etc, such money more often than not is spent anyhow. The beneficiaries hardly take time to ponder that such money was hard earned!
2.Stories reaching us from Africa indicate that a lot of the money that is sent there is carelessly used! Why? Because they know that more will be coming!
3.Do you recall people that you see at some corners in major cities begging for money? Some of those are able to work. Sometimes I wonder why some of them can not get some kind of job!
4.It’s a known fact that some of the people who have won lotteries, in time,return to the streets! Why! Money that you don’t work for you hardly know how to manage it!
We are not saying that anyone should not help! The point I am putting a cross is that no one has easy money to dish out! So whenever you get some help, be careful how you spent it. Better still, let every person learn how to fish. In this way, we can give others a break! Shall we?
Just a thought
Pr Birai
612-386-4608
www.themaranathasdachurch.org
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Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:18:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re:If you want a penny…….Take one!