It all started after Pastor Tope’s ministration last week. You know, the one where he got us all fired up about charity. It’s like my heart was put on trial.
After that soul-stirring Thursday meeting, I was buzzing with energy to fulfil the commandments of charity. On my way home, I spotted one of my neighbours struggling to scrounge up change to buy fruit at the bus stop. After hearing that charity message, I jumped at the opportunity to help her. The old me would’ve just walked on by.
So, I boldly approached the fruit seller and asked, “How much for those oranges, ma’am?”. “500 naira for three”, she replied. I was shocked, a mix of confused, angry and surprised. It’s orange o! Then, she started explaining how the dollar has affected everything. Please o, how does the dollar affect orange? Do we import that, too? But I have been hearing that literally everywhere, and I was more concerned about fulfilling my charity work. So I just paid with my last bit of cash, feeling like a ‘charity boss’, even though my wallet was sobbing silently.
Fueled by my newfound commitment to charity the next day, I plastered the entire 1 Corinthians 13 on the wall opposite my bed. Because, you know, nothing says “charity boss” like waking up to a wall of biblical verses every morning.
Come Saturday, my designated market day; I was up and ready to do my usual market runs and price everything ‘priceable’ in my usual manner. I had planned the amount I would spend. As I got to the market while comparing prices, the Lord led me to a particular woman. Fam, her prices were cheaper than the others I had been talking to. Ahh, awoof! I was so happy and quickly bought all I needed.
On my way home, I recalculated my profit and even considered adding money to the selling price. If the ‘dollar’ can affect orange, it can affect my handmade slippers too. But just as the thought landed, I clearly heard in my spirit, “That thought is uncharitable and uncharitable thoughts bear uncharitable works”. I was just weak. So, this is what pastor Tope meant when he said, “Charity comes from a pure heart, beyond the actions. Charity starts from the heart, and it thinks no evil”.
I did not even know I was thinking evil. I felt God had buttered my bread and sugared my tea. Little did I know that it is evil to profit off others’ misfortunes. I shouted ‘Jesu shanu mi’ in the bus, and everybody looked at me. I just decided that I needed to pay more attention to the word of this season.
Join us today at the Prayer Meeting to partake of the great substances God is dispensing to culture men after the heavenly order through His servant, Pastor Tope Falaye.
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: 5 Bailey Street, Abule-Ijesha, Yaba
You can also connect online via Waystream: https://waystre.am/live/team-101
Please note that we are transitioning to Waystream and will no longer use Mixlr.
See you there!😌
Tamara
