Stats: 3,228,785 members, 8,080,098 topics. Date: Monday, 17 February 2025 at 11:02 AM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Unveiling The Shadows: Lessons Learned From Helping The Poor (155 Views)
3 Things I Learned Late In Life / Mohbad's Death And Lessons Learned From His Song "SORRY" / Try To Be Helping The Less Privilege (2) (3) (4)
(1) (Reply)
Unveiling The Shadows: Lessons Learned From Helping The Poor by RiyadhGoddess(f): 1:10pm On Jun 20, 2023 |
In a world where poverty persists, the scriptures remind us that the poor will always be amongst us. However, in this present generation, it seems that the concept of poverty has taken a different form—a generation that lacks respect and moral values. I find myself questioning if the biblical reference to the poor encompasses the individuals we encounter today, particularly those in socio-economic classes D and E. These are the very people we extend a helping hand to, only to be repaid with malevolence. It is disheartening to witness how they tarnish our characters, spreading slander and defamatory remarks. I, too, have experienced bitter encounters with this subset of the poor. I have invested significant amounts of money in these individuals—buying a car, paying their school fees, providing shelter, adopting them into my life, offering them a better future. I have cared for their children, employed them, given them thousands of naira, facilitated their relocation abroad, and even covered their rent. Yet, instead of gratitude, I have been met with betrayal. They have repaid my kindness with wickedness, maligning my name and engaging in acts of sabotage and conspiracy. Each time I face such circumstances, I am tempted to sever ties with the poor, to distance myself from this class of people. I have made my stance clear to my family and close friends, declaring that I no longer want them in my vicinity. However, due to the teachings of Jesus and His commandment to love, I find myself drawn to them out of empathy, overlooking the wounds they have inflicted, and offering assistance once again. Yet, the cycle continues, and they reciprocate my goodwill with further acts of malevolence. One incident that particularly stands out in my memory involves an individual I rescued from the slums. I facilitated her relocation abroad, financed her needs, and harbored greater plans to improve her life. However, she chose to betray my trust, plotting to cause harm and falsely implicating me in a matter I was innocent of. It was only by the intervention of God that I was vindicated and spared from the depths of trouble. These experiences have left me contemplating whether my misfortune with people stems from mere luck or a deeper truth. I have become apprehensive about helping the poor, fearing the consequences that may follow. Despite my reservations, I cannot ignore the biblical admonitions regarding the poor. However, recent events surrounding Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, a renowned pastor, philanthropist, and founder of Omega Power Ministry in Port Harcourt, have given me pause for thought. The story unfolded when a group of young men known as the Happie Boys, who were unjustly dismissed from their workplace at Chicken Republic in Nigeria, caught the attention of Apostle Chinyere. Touched by their plight, he pledged to sponsor their education abroad, ultimately fulfilling his promise by sending them to Cyprus. Regrettably, these boys have now turned against the very person who changed their lives. Forgotten are the acts of kindness that lifted them out of suffering and brought them to Europe. Forgotten are the investments made on their well-being. Instead, driven by their desire for financial gain and luxurious lifestyles, they have resorted to tarnishing the pastor's reputation. They have resorted to ridicule and even labeled him a ritualist on social media. This revelation further solidified my belief that the poor, as a collective, possess a similar mindset. It seems that regardless of the good bestowed upon them, they are inherently predisposed to inflicting harm in return. They are an ungrateful and insatiable group, often pretending loyalty until their desires are fulfilled, at which point they transform into wolves in sheep's clothing. It is important to note that this personal reflection does not aim to dissuade others from helping the poor. Rather, it serves as a testament to my own experiences throughout the years and the recent lessons learned from the Apostle Chinyere and Happie Boys saga. It is crucial to discern and choose the recipients of our benevolence wisely. Helping the wrong individuals can lead to painful repercussions. May we never become bitter individuals due to our acts of kindness, and may we never find ourselves in a state of regret and pain as a result of our good deeds. While caution is necessary, let us not completely abandon those in need, for there are still genuine souls who deserve our compassion and assistance. Thank you for taking the time to read. If you found it interesting, I invite you to subscribe to my Substack newsletter (read my signature) and please share with a friend. There, I delve deeper into the profound depths of my Christian faith, capturing its essence through captivating writing.
|
(1) (Reply)
Creating Wealth In The Midst Of Scarcity. Duste Abuja, Are You Even Ready!! / Enhance Your Career Opportunities With A Top-notch CV Builder Online / Kitchen Remodeling: Redesigning Your Cooking Paradise
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2025 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 29 |