FAVOUR OR GREED? (SHORT STORY)
Intro:
This is a fictional story that explores some Christians’ expectations from God in the area of favour and how despondent they can be when these expectations are not met. I crave your views on this and would be glad if this story helps us examine our attitudes towards giving and receiving as well as the whole issue of contentment as taught in the Bible.
FAVOUR OR GREED?
Thelma was very unhappy. She had yearned for a new car. She had prayed for favour in buying it, something like receiving a gift of a new car or having someone bless her with the money to buy one (if not the entire sum, then a substantial portion of it). But until the last minute, no one offered any such help. She had to nearly empty her savings to pay for the Lexus 330 SUV. Okay, I still have about two hundred grand left. Still it doesn’t detract from the painful fact that I paid every single kobo for the car, by myself!
On top of that, she had to hold small parties to celebrate: in their neighbourhood welfare association, at work and church. No one was bringing her any gifts. Rather, they came to eat and drink. As many remarked, bringing presents for someone who just bought an SUV in the present economy is like pouring water into a stream. And really, the gatherings were meant to pray over her and the car so that it wouldn’t bring “devourers” into her life: stuff like accidents, constant breakdowns, even tyre punctures.
Granted, the refreshments were not meant to be much: four crates of malt drinks all round: one thousand Naira worth of garden eggs, two thousand of groundnuts. She absolutely refused to buy biscuits or anything fancy. The church event cost the most, although all the members were not involved. She bought a goat and some yams as thanksgiving offering. That was “sixteen bleeding thousand”, she thought.
She would have been considered tight-fisted if she had offered a cock or anything inexpensive. The thanksgiving offfering was expected to be proportionate to what gave rise to it. After the service, the pastor and some deacons held a session of fervent prayer in which they laid hands on her and the car and anointed them. She gave them a crate of malt drinks and a two thousand Naira bottle of non-alcoholic wine. By then the joy of buying the car had all but dissipated.
As she drove home from church where the last of these events took place on the third Sunday in March, she hardly enjoyed the plush leather seats in her new car, the air conditioning or the beautiful Bethel worship music wafting from the speakers armed with both tweeters and woofers. When she got home, she was angry enough to refuse the food offered by her mum, who was visiting for a fortnight because she was on leave from her civil service clerical job. (Her mum helped to watch a sick neighbour on infusion while Thelma went to church.)
As she dropped her car keys into her bedside drawer, she saw money of different denominations there. She normally left cash lying around her flat in case she had to pay a repairman, buy fuel for her generator or water for her tank. Something told her the money there was over ten thousand Naira and that many people didn’t make that much in a month. She snorted.
As she dropped her bag in the wardrobe, she opened it to bring out her Bible. There was about five thousand Naira in the Bible, three thousand or thereabouts in a side pocket and more in her wallet. She left the amounts where they were and lay down fully clothed on the rugged floor of her bedroom. She did that when she was sad and needed to think or pray.
Why don’t I receive favour like others, why? Why can’t I be like those people who testify that out of nowhere, God did this and that for them? Why must I pay for everything I have? And to think that I sowed my Honda Accord as a seed, hoping that someone will give me a Jeep! Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work? “Cast your bread upon the waters” and it will come back to you swollen or multiplied.
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(Related: 5 Things to Remember When You’re Giving But Seem Not to be Receiving)
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She heard a voice within her saying, “Talk to me when you’re in need. For now, you’re just being silly.” She didn’t know whose voice it was. Would the Holy Spirit say she was being silly? Isn’t He supposed to comfort me, to speak kind words to me, especially now that I’m feeling rotten? And the word “silly” in this context makes it seem as if I’m being greedy. Now, that’s not fair!
She got up, removed her dress and underskirt. Wearing just her bra and panties, she went to ease herself in the attached bathroom. As she washed her hands at the porcelain sink, she admired herself in the large mirror on the wall. Her body was lithe and her fair skin glowed. At twenty-nine, she didn’t have an ounce of cellulite on her thighs. Her body was well-toned even though she wasn’t a fitness buff. Good genes, she reminded herself. Her mum at fifty-five looked ten years younger and she followed in her steps. They had strong constitutions and were hardly ever sick. Ditto for the rest of her siblings. Thank you, Jesus! Her dad had had a similar build but had died on an ECOMOG mission to Liberia.
When she came back to resume her position on the floor, her fiancé, Anayo, called. She ignored him. In fact, she was asking herself why she agreed to marry him. From the look of things, she would have to pay for a lot of stuff in their forthcoming traditional marriage. In fact, that was part of the reason she’d rushed to buy the SUV. It appeared that she’d never have the chance of driving such a luxurious car after their wedding.
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(Related: Either SUV ot Burst – Short Story)
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That wasn’t what she had dreamt of. She wanted a man who could spoil her: buy her expensive clothes, pay money into her account from time to time and the like. She would have liked to show her friends the unique and priceless things he bought for her, but he was just a staff of a federal agency. Besides, he was spending on his higher degree and taking care of his siblings, because his mother was a widow too. The most he had bought for her was an android phone which she had given to her mum, a wrist watch and an external hard disc for backing up her computer.
On the good side, he was gentle, prayerful and easy to please. He always radiated an aura of peace. But she was wondering if the peace would be so fulfilling to her when he couldn’t often “favour” her in “substantial” ways. She longed to someday say, “See the car my husband bought for me on our wedding anniversary” or “Wow, my husband is taking me shopping in Paris for my birthday”. Well, from all indications, God wanted her to marry him and she was obeying Him, but the truth was that she wasn’t finding it funny.
Her phone rang again. This time it was her cousin, Anuli. Anuli was very excited. She called to announce that she had finally got admission into the university. As lists of admitted candidates had been released over the months, it had been disappointment after disappointment for her. But she kept believing and praying. On Friday, the final list had been released and she had made it. Thelma was so happy. The problem now, Anuli continued, was the money to pay her fees. Acceptance fee alone was twenty thousand Naira, the consolidated fees were seventy thousand for Psychology, her department.
Thelma’s heart sank. She was no longer paying full attention because she knew the gist of Anuli’s words was a plea for financial help. Thelma wondered if she could tell her to go elsewhere. Of course, she would go elsewhere! But the words filtered in that she would be so grateful for “whatever” Thelma could give her.
Thelma was praying and her mind was making some furious calculations at the same time. She could plead that she had just bought a car but that would be low and quite uncharacteristic of her. Her extended family members knew they could always count on her. In fact, in Anuli’s case, Thelma knew that she would ultimately be the one to pay the bulk of her ninety thousand Naira fees because her parents were poor farmers.
She admired the girl’s efforts at rising above the level of education her parents could fund and she had encouraged her over the years. That encouragement often meant picking up the bills. She did the same for other needy relatives. Her policy was to never leave anyone who came to her for help empty-handed. She always gave something, even if it was far less than what was asked for.
Since she already had Anuli’s account number, she told her she would send something immediately, at least the acceptance fee. Later, she should get back to her with details of other help she was able to raise, so she could supplement. After transferring twenty-three thousand Naira to enable her pay the fee and sundry expenses like bank commission and computer time, she lay down again. Anuli cried and thanked her so profusely it made Thelma’s heart bubble with joy.
“So, do you still think I’m being silly?” she addressed whoever made that charge earlier.
I need some favour, same as anybody else.
She dozed for a few minutes till her mum woke her with a knock on her bedroom door.
“Ezinwanne brought some mangoes for you.”
Ezinwanne was a neighbour from another compound. And Thelma LOVED mangoes, although she often missed them because the season usually flew by while she was busy travelling for work. She screamed and hurriedly donned a loose, long-staple cotton gown in sea green. She hugged and thanked Ezinwanne, carried the plastic bowl containing the mangoes into the kitchen. After washing them, she came back to the dining room with a table knife and began to work on them. They were ripe and succulent, just the way she liked them. So she dropped the table knife. Her mum steered clear because she understood her bond with the fruit.
It was not until she had eaten the last of the five mangoes that Thelma realised what had just happened. God had replied to her cry for favour. With mangoes! Two hundred Naira worth of mangoes, which Ezinwanne had picked free from her compound! Smooth! You think this is funny, Lord? Much as she had enjoyed the mangoes, she didn’t relent in her petition.
As she picked the fibres from the fruit out of her teeth, she admitted that she was in a better position than many others, being the Marketing Manager of a large pharmaceutical firm; she conceded that favour can come in various forms, like escape from diverse kinds of evil, good health, caring friends, or even sweet mangoes, but she insisted that she was entitled to financial favour. There was no fun in paying her way all the time, doing everything for herself from her salary. I am sowing financially, please, please, please, let me also receive financially. I mean bountifully, pressed down, shaken together and running over!
-The end-
Ⓒ Edith Ugochi Ohaja 2018
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(Related: 6 Correct Christian Views About Money)
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Hi, hi! Do stay and chat for a bit.
Have you ever sowed a seed with a need attached? What happened later?
Do you agree with Thelma that Christians are entitled to the harvest of their seeds in the areas they sowed (e.g. money for money) regardless of whatever else they might receive?
What would you say of Thelma’s attitude towards Anayo?
Do you think Thelma was right in maintaining her stance (praying for favour) or do you think she was greedy?
Which part of the story touched you the most?
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This reminds me of how rich men want to get richer and richer by the day not knowing that some people don’t have enough to feed themselves. We should be grateful for the little we have and always help people where our hands can reach.
God forbid that we should be caught in the trap of vain pursuit of money in Jesus’ name. You’re blessed, Chiamaka!
This is a wonderful story; indeed Thelma is a cheerful giver who delights in helping the needy. But her reaction towards Anayo, her fiancee, is not right. If truly she feels Anayo is not assisting her financially, she should let him know or probably move on from the relationship since she feels she is the one always contributing than her partner. Love conquers all, for the fact she loves him is enough & she should never relent in praying for her partner for favors from God. Yes, it is hard to pray and not be sad when we don’t get answers immediately as we expect from God, but the Bible made us to know in Mark 11 Vs 24 that what so ever ye pray believe that you’ve received them & it shall be yours and also in Mark 4 Vs 40, “why ye so fearful? Why is it that ye don’t have faith?” So as Christians, we are to know that faith is paramount because with faith we draw closer what we pray & ask God for. I’ve found myself in the condition Thelma is but by the grace of God & by the studying of his word i have realised my mistakes & have also learnt my lessons. Thank you, ma.
God bless you too, Chinaecherem! The Christian journey is a daily learning experience but the Holy Spirit and God’s grace are always there to see us through.
We are humans and by being human I mean we expect so much from God forgetting that he listens whenever we pray to him. I have found myself in the same position as Thelma in this story but trust me it doesn’t help rather you get frustrated more; and even when you pray, you pray out of annoyance, feeling neglected whereas it is not supposed to be so. Faith is what every Christian needs; for it is written that, “Even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed, it will move mountains” God loves a cheerful giver; we should also remember to be selfless in our giving & helping the needy. Thelma’s attitude towards her boyfriend is not justifiable in anyway because she is aware of his financial abilities before getting into the relationship, so she should keep praying for him, because Anayo as described in this story is also working hard towards being financially free & being able to keep his head above water. I pray God see us through in our pursuit of happiness on this earth. Thank you, Aunt Edith.
Yes, my dear! When we’re so worried about what God hasn’t done, we get angry and foul the sweet fellowship we should be having with His Spirit. And Thelma doesn’t know that a guy like Anayo is worth his weight in gold. Thank God she is going through with the marriage. In future, she will sooo thank God for him. May God fill your life with joy in Jesus’ name.
Really hysterical n didactic too…I laughed hard when she shushed d Holy spirit-must be a bad spirit she must have thought!… Financial favour!.. I think she should be grateful for her success being able to buy an SUV without a boyfriend, fiancé or husband’s support these days is not common for ladies.. Many would die to be in her shoes!
Abi oh! Ne-Yo’s “Miss Independent”. Lol! Have a great May, my dear, in Jesus’ name.
Life is not easy, some people feel they are not financially blessed while some pray for wisdom but we are all human until wealth classifies us. I feel Thelma’s prayer was for her to attain her dreams. Dreams are peculiar to everyone but just as they say God’s plan is the best. Sometimes in life, favour comes to the good hrt that soweth or giveth but not usaully in the same direction of which u sowed. When u put God first in everything u do, things work out unexpectedly, Thank you, ma, for this wonderful story.
I agree with you, Victor! We should keep giving and we can tell God what we want Him to bless us with as a result of our giving if we wish. But we should also understand that God is sovereign. He determines what He will give us and when. This understanding will spare us the trouble of quarrelling with Him and possibly hurting ourselves in the process. Thanks a lot for always reading my posts. I appreciate.
Sure! I had the experience. Sowing with a particular need in mind, of course, it didn’t suddenly materialise like I wanted it to. But definitely, that doesn’t mean God didn’t care but like His Word points out, He makes things beautiful in its time, not when you wish it would because you’ve done/given something. Whatever giving should be just that – giving, and not giving to take, after all, it’s not like God is a money doubler…
Thelma has a lot to be grateful for, but like most people, we can’t be grateful for blessings already received and favour we’ve already been shown while we’re fixated on some new thing we wish were ours. Thelma however has to consciously avoid being overly materialistic, so she doesn’t ruin her peace of mind and jeopardise her relationship with her God-given man. Easy does it!
I was touched by quite a number of things in the story but I think, Ezinwanne’s kind thoughtfulness stands out. She gave ‘so little’ but it had a great impact. Just like the widow’s mite.
Keep writing ma’am! And God bless you and your family inJesusName.
Wow! There’s so much wisdom in your comment, Oluwase…. Are you a writer, blogger…? You sound like one. God bless you splendidly in whatever you do in Jesus’ name.
Wow!Giving is indeed a beautiful thing.A time tested cliché says that givers never lack aAnd I am a living testimony, the Joy alone derived from giving and seeing the receiver happy is something I cherish so much!
Am blessed with this awesome piece !God bless u Ma!
God bless you too, Nnenna!
We should be grateful for the little we have and always help people where our hands can reach. We should not be caught in trap of money because its the root of all evil.
Actually, the love of money is the root of all evil. You are lifted, Chinaza!
One thing about being materialistic is that the more you get, the more you want. We get our hopes dashed when we expect a lot. Thelma is insatiable. It’s true that every woman wants a man who is well to do. But she is already made. What more could she want? We humans should learn to be contented.
Maybe it has something to do with the idea that the man should be the provider or she may have read many romantic novels, lol! But you’re right, contentment is important for our happiness because if we’re not careful, we may spend our lives chasing after money and things. God’s grace in all you do in Jesus’ name.
Thelma was right in maintaining her stance,praying for favour because she believed that anyone who has an open hand will receive abundant favour from people in return due to the fact that she gives . so she is not greedy
Nice point of view. Bless you!
Interesting story,favour or greed? Which one is it really? It’s funny, i’ve experienced what Thelma is experiencing. You give each and every time but don’t get any equivalent or greater favors in return. Is it too much to ask that just once,someone does something extravagant for you too? The key however is learning to appreciate the unnoticeable but beautiful little favors in our lives. Who knows,without them we wouldn’t be happy. I believe God blesses us with the things we’re meant to have. Don’t be carried away by the luxuries others may be enjoying. We should remember that not everyone has the things we do and the fact that we have those things means we should do well to be contented. If God has blessed you financially,it is only right to help others too. There’s this fulfilment you get from giving help. I hope Thelma learns to appreciate God’s special favors in her life like her stunning physique, good health and terrific job, not to mention those tasty mangoes right?. I can’t get enough of your stories aunty. Thank you
Those mangoes were the best, lol! And she so enjoyed them! But apparently, they didn’t hold a candle to the cash she was fixated on. But she’s kind and honest. I like that. Glory to God you love my stories. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Oh wow! I am in exactly this phase now, in fact I could be Thelma,as I am wondering where those seeds I have sown have gone to. I have always been taught to attach a need to a seed but I just can’t seem to get it right, last year I sowed something and was expecting a harvest of a thousand folds and was quite irritated when I didn’t see the manifest harvest. In fact, I began to suspect my pastors and silently support daddy freeze. Do I agree with Thelma? Well, it would be nice to sow a car and get a better car in return. Yes, sometimes I wish I was dating a millionaire who would spoil me silly with gifts and I sometimes ignore the fact that my boyfriend is a good man who loves me and fears God, buying a human weave or a gown or a new phone seems so much more fulfilling so I can relate with Thelma but breaking off with him because of these petty reasons would be a monumental foolish decision. Based on how we are taught to stand on the word and speak till you see what you desire come to pass, again, I do not blame Thelma, perhaps it is how she has been taught in church, so asking for a specific thing seems more hopeful than greedy. Her definition of favour may not be mango but an SUV. This entire story hit home. Meanwhile, my ungrateful self failed to see that while I was waiting for a thousand harvest, I got to travel to and fro the village during Christmas free of charge, got new clothes and shoes, moved to a new house without owing one farthing, won a scholarship and got a professional certificate etc. No, I was focused on reaping the ‘manifold harvest of cash’. I believe it’s all about perspectives and sometimes, I apologize to God for my self-centeredness. He is so good to us everyday and yet we focus on one thing it seems he hasn’t done. And again, why do we have to sow seeds like it’s a business transaction. ‘God o, I am dropping this money, you better come through for me’. I don’t know ma, blaming pastors and the church is also stupid. We must know God’s word for ourselves if not, we would find ourselves serving God into hell fire because of offence and unmet desires. Thank you Ma for this story. I better remember to thank God for granting me favour in different ways other than cash.
Wow, thanks for sharing from your heart. Anybody living on a blame game just reminds me of PMB, lol! We really need to know God and His word and allow Him to be Lord in our circumstances, including our giving and receiving. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. Higher heights to you in Jesus’ name.
Interesting one! ……Thelma is a nice person that loves giving, helping people that need financial help like anui. But at the other hand, I will say she is materialistic she likes fancy things to make people know that she has arrived.? She expected her future husband to have much money and she wants him to be treating her like queen ?B….lol?. As a Christian I learnt that we should be grateful with the ones we have.
Praise God and bless you, Joy!
Thelma is a very nice and cheerful giver who helps anyone with the little she has……In our prayer lives, we speak our desires but forget that God already has plans for US….Also when praying we should pray with faith and not out of anger and frustration… I also felt she was greedy because of the thoughts she had about sponsoring her wedding with Anayo her fiancee ….
Ummm, she does have some really rosy expectations. But her circumstances aren’t lining up. That’s why she feels so disappointed. You are blessed in Jesus’ name.
I truly enjoyed the story. It’s very easy to fall into Thelma’s shoes but if one reflects on their life every time, we could escape this kind of situation. Most mornings before I do my devotion, I just lie there on the bed or sit up and do a deep reflection on my life. In as much as I ponder on things that I need God to do for me, I think of how far the year has gone and how I’m yet to reach where I dream to be, I still cannot over look the wonderful, minute things that God has blessed me with and that often dictates my tone of prayers: thanking God for what I am and have and where He is taking me too.
I don’t think it’s wrong to hope and expect greater things but not dwelling so much on them is the way to go. Thanks ma for the story, always enjoy your stories
Yes, the half-empty glass approach to life is an invitation to heart ache. Even if we get what we want now, other wants will replace them soon. Praise God you enjoyed the story. May God continue to draw you closer to Him and answer whenever you call in Jesus’ name.
One thing i always tell people, is to do good to people always but not with the intention of receiving back just because a help was rendered.It is written in the Bible that givers never lack, and when u give don’t expect God to do a miracle with immediate effect, if not , one is putting God into temptation. Love your neighbour as u love yourself for the reward is in heaven.I thank God that Thelma was able to realise that because, when we do good, we look up to God to bless us financially not taking into recognition, other means through which God has come to our rescue.As we read this story, may God give us the strength and wisdom to be able to apply it in our daily lives.
The part I love most is the part that personification was used(the bleeding money) I would not blame Thelma because in life when you give out you expect something in return and most especially if you have people that show off as friends that spirit of give and make it obvious will surely affect you one way or the other ,but I will say Thelma should understand that God works differently , what favors one maybe harmful to the other so therefore she should expect less no matter what she must have given out because our God works in a tricky way he gives when he believes you can handle it.
Thelma’s attitude towards gifting, tithing or seed sowing is what most christians perceive as “doing the work of God”. This is extremely wrong. God is not obliged to financially give back to you as you may think. He may be seeing other needs that far surpasses the financial favour you’ve been yearning for. Christians started thinking from the God-perspective than the reverse. I once lived in this shade. Didn’t find it funny, until I tried to learnt to see things from God’s angle.
This is a nice piece. I enjoyed the story. I don’t think that asking favour from the Lord is being greedy. But what Thelma didn’t realize is that she was already favoured. She is an instrument of help to others that practically makes her a blessing to the people around her. What could be more than that favour? God has a way of favouring His children but we fail to realize it most times. If we should reflect on our lives we will realize we are favoured every day of our lives. Bless u ma.
Human wants cannot be satiated because they seem to always want more. In Thelma’s case she was only counting her losses and losing sight of God’s Favour. As christians, this story teaches us to be grateful for what we have because it may be more than most people can boast of.
Human wants are numerous and can’t be satisfied at once.we need to understand the importance of what we have and be thankful at the same time.God answers our needs when its the perfect time.May God give us the ability to appreciate our little…and utilise it properly too.thank u ma for this post.
This is a very interesting and didantic story. Believe me when I say Thelmas attitude towarda Tithe is the behaviour most christians of today depict in one way or the other. We all sow a seed with intended intentions and to be frank sometimes they dont come to pass and when this happens, I believe God answered another prayer He only knows we probabaly need more than the one we asked of Him. But I must applaud her principle of helping out anybody she comes across in one way or the other. The part that touched me though is the. Part she argued with the holy spirit when he called her silly. All in all ma, this is a wonderful story that subtly talks to each and everyone of us and I pray that we all will have a rethink on our attitude towards Tithe and giving.
Thelma’s attitude is equivalent to 90% of humans understanding of what giving and receiving should be forgetting that it is never written in the Bible that if you give money you will receive same in return. Giving is a mystery, Bible says that those that sow love shall surely reap love which giving is part of it. What this means is that you can give financially and be blessed through the fruit of the womb or otherwise. God can reward you in different ways according to the area of your need at that particular time. Let God perfect His words and promises in your life instead of dictating for Him all the time.
I think Thelma is being selfish and ungrateful to God even though Thelma has been blessed but it doesn’t appeal to her. Even her attitude towards her fiance is not good,we need to live happily and be contented with the little we have,we don’t need to be like others before we appreciate what we have .
Sometime in 2001, I was on campus as an undergraduate working on a term paper while school was on vacation. I went to the then NITEL to put a call home (That was before the advent of gsm) and my sister greeted me frantically with the sad news that my mum had stroke. How that everyone had been trying to reach me for days, that I should head home immediately. I was devastated but instead of travelling back home, I locked myself up in my room and prayed all day and all night without ceasing. I went home and took charge and in less than 3 months my mum was back to work, living a normal life.
When I got back to school that was my story, my testimony. One day I was in the midst of friends, most of whom were leaders in our campus fellowship happily sharing my testimony and I observed a particular sister got really emotional. When we all said good bye, this particular sister took me by the hand and pulled me to a quiet corner. She looked me in the eye and broke down in teats. When I managed to calm her down, she asked me this simple question, “why did my mother die”. Her mother had been ill about the same time as mine. She said the whole family had declared a one week prayer and fasting for her. She had 2 siblings who were pastors among others of different care in church leadership. On the 5th day of the prayer with fasting program, her mother passed. This question hit me really hard, and I knew I didn’t have an answer for her.
But it woke me up to a realisation that it was not just because I prayed that my mother was healed. I found out that I was making more of me than the one who said,” I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy”. Surely, his desire is to ‘show us all (His children) mercy all the time. It is not just about our prayers and faith (howbeit, these are very get and relevant virtues) but the one in whom we have come to believe.
I shared this experience because sometimes we seem to seek validation in some particular directions, but the truth is that God validates us in everything and everywhere just because we are His.
1 Kings 19: 10-13
Rom 1: 20
Thelma is a cheerful giver and also a nice person but she’s too materialistic, feeling she does not have enough, always asking God for favour. It is important for we Christians to note that God loves those who are content with what they have. Thank you, ma, for this post.
When ever we pray,answers are given us.We’ve to learn how to endure in the place of prayer.God Our father is loving so, can not deny us of any good thing.Thelma,You shouldn’t have given up,God is so interested in us even in the little things we think He doesn’t have interest in.Prayer works!
Thelma had a wrong approach to this giving concept. We mustn’t give but if we must, then it must be cheerfully. Doing otherwise, that is with mere calculations for expected gain or with grumbling can lead to a curse instead of a blessing. Thelma’s wrong was that she gave not cheerfully. We should bear in mind that we are blessed to bless others and through that,we remain a blessing
Lol. I have found myself in this position before where you sow a seed and it’s like nothing is happening. A seed is a seed. It will grow and you will see the result even if it’s not with immediate effect. Give without having expectations attached to it. Give because its a Commandment and because one good turn deserves another. Another wonderful one, ma. God bless you!
I don’t agree with Thelma in the aspect that she’s entitled to reap what she sowes (money for money)… God has his own way of blessing us and repaying us for what we have given to people, sometimes we do not know, even the breath of life is a blessing. The reason we cannot be blessed if we pray from a place of worry is because worry is a manifestation of our lack of trust in God. Too often we pray by offering up our wish list of wants when we really should see everything that God offers us as a blessing.
I’ve sown a lot of seeds, attaching some needs to them. But i didnt let my needs be my sole reason for giving. That’s were many miss it. If you give out of love, though having a need in mind, God will definitely reach oit to that need.
Churches always make us sow seeds. Personally, I see this seeds as a means of appreciation, and not to get something in return. I don’t agree with Thelma. Favours come in various forms. Even though it would be absurd to sow a bean seed and harvest yam, isn’t it why God’s ways are mysterious?. well, as for her attitude towards her fiance, it’s unappreciative. Seems like she’s getting married for material benefits.
We pray for favour but let it not be tied to the fact that we sow seeds.
I was touched by the part where she’s still generous even when she’s going through a lot.
Nice piece I must say.
Sometimes when i ask God for something and i feel that my wish or prayers are not being answered ,I lose hope and it is at that point that my prayers gets answered. God’s time is always the best and if he is answering our prayers immediately , he is giving us what we want but when he does it at his own time,he gives us more than we even imagine.And as for Thelma, she is a little insensitive about her fiance because money is always attainable but true love is hard to come by so i feel she should stick with him because every good thing comes with a price and in her case, patience is rerquired.
The Bible said it is more blessed to give than to receive. I don’t see giving as a contract, I mean, giving so you can get back. Giving should be done without expectations. I’m not surprised at Thelma’s need for financial blessings, that is the mentality of Christians today. Our own return could come in various forms, the most important to us.
Sometimes when we give out we expect something in return and when we don’t get it in time we tend to worry about it even after we pray about it. Thelma was in this kind of situation even after the Holy Spirit talked to her she still felt like she needed something immediately due to the fact she had given.
Most Christians these days have ulterior motives for doing things. I feel Christians should not have such mind sets while doing things for the Lord or start waiting for appreciation, the fact that we wake up everyday is more than enough favour. God works in mysterious ways it took just mangoes for Thelma to realize the wonderful things God has been doing for her.
Isn’t God funny?
He gave her Relatively cheap Favour in Mangoes, unlike what she envisaged. Why?
Humility, contentment and understanding to give without expecting. Notice her neighbour gave her mangoes without asking for anything? Which I understand to be a reminder that whatever we have, was freely given us by God and so should we freely give to others.
For Anayo, she isnt fair though. A man’s today status cannot be matched to tomorrow’s. Whatever he bought her, she should appreciate. Who knows if he was putting her to test?
The part of the story that interest me most that of Thelma and Anayo .personally I feel Thelma may be greedy she wants her boyfriend to be like a leprechaun answering her wish and giving her his pot of gold she should have it at the back of her mind that he is also taking care of his family and that he loves her
As humans,we are prone to be swayed by material things and knowing we have a superior being makes us run to Him, which sometimes could be measured as greediness if you find it difficult to give. The Bible says in Luke 6:38 that “give and it shall be given to you, good measures,pressed down,shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap, for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”.
This is a beautiful story ma, can I show this to my friends?
Of course! Share wherever you wish. You are blessed!
The love of money is the root of all evil. Despite all our wealth and riches, we should ask God for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Riches come from the Lord
This is really touching and gives people the mind to continue doing good
It happens everywhere, even in the church, the man of God would be rich, yet there’s a man who barely feed in his church
To put it simply, Thelma is materialistic. What she doesn’t realize is that she had been blessed in many ways but she is the root of her own problems. If she was satisfied with what she had she wouldn’t be in that dilemma. This problem can be seen in many places today but people always end up blaming God. People should put aside all things worldly and focus more on their spiritual relationship with God and when it is really needed, HE will provide.
Life is difficult!
We should be grateful for what we have and always try to help people in any little way we can…..
Awesome story….
Wow,thank you ma for this wonderful piece. We ought to be content with whatever things we have
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things(sam 107:8-9).as Christians the Bible has made it clear that giving is a Christ tradition. Giving in cheerfulness.maybe she has read the Bible and quoted wrongly,even at 29 she had a good job,perfect skin, a fiance that loves her and God, and she was not contented. I wouldn’t say she is greedy but I would rather say she is not contented with all that she has. This is an awesome story. It has taught me a lot.
i think thelma is being selfish and ungrateful to god even though thelma has been blessed but it doesnt appeal to her. her attitude towards her fiance was bad.we dont have to be like others before we appreciate what we have.everybody is blessed by God.
Giving, generousity, charity. These characterized a good Christian. I think Thelma was wrong expecting favour from where she sowed
I feel Christians should not have such mind sets while doing things for the Lord or start waiting for appreciation, the fact that we wake up everyday is more than enough favour. God works in mysterious ways it took just mangoes for Thelma to realize the wonderful things God has been doing for her
Thelma is not contented, moreover she is sowing seed in other to gain favours and not to be thankful to God and sometimes being thankful is better than sowing seed for favours….
Three things to note:
1.Thanksgiving in church doesn’t necessarily mean that you must provide what the members are going to eat. If you don’t have the wherewithal to do so, then offer to God what you can and He seeing the sincerity of your heart will reward you.
2. This story also applies to students. We all want to experience, in one way or the other, this FAVOUR. But we neglect the fact that God watches out for us even in our unguarded moments. Just as she realised later on the favours she has been enjoying, we ought to do so and that early enough so wee can always have a reason to appreciate God.
3. God’s will for us is always the best. So in anyway it comes, we should accept it because He knows best.
God’s ways are very different from the ways of man..for I know the thought I have for you..God said! What is good for us might not be same for God about us.
God had made Thelma an independent financial product but what she want is a Favour….hahahahahaa….! what’s the Favour rather than the supply of good health and many more as a result of her manner of giving…..Blessed is the hand that giveth ….’I love who God made you… I wish to be independent too… Thelma’.
She only feels she is sowing so she should reap. All she needs is God’s favor
What God has for us is not what we always expect, but one thing is for sure, he always gives us the best. one thing i have learn about him is patience through prayers. This story motivates me, may you be blessed ma.
Wow! Thelma really helped a lot of people, but she worried much about recieving. Aunt Edith thanks for this story.
We should be grateful for all we have and always remember that some people can only dream of having them, we should not get caught up in the pursuit of earthly riches.
I am just a new guy here….every post is channeled towards religion……I must say in life we should try to grab as much as we can since morality is relative….
Keep reading, Matthew. Maybe you will change your mind. Morality is relative to those who have chosen to make up their own rules, rather than follow God’s standards.
My fellow philosophy colleague, you Know that Prof Egbeka Aja will always tell you that it is only an unbaked philosopher that will not believe in the existence of God. You really need to change your mindset before it is too late…
Very good advice! Thank you, Peter.
It is important that we thank God for his unconditional love for us every day of our lives, no matter how unfaithful man is he still provides and blesses us with wonderful things.
I love this story and I have learnt that givers never lack. As believers we should understand that giving is a Christian tradition and is supposed to be our culture.
God bless you Ma, am blessed.
I feel that Christians should not have such mind sets while doing things for their lord or start waiting for appreciation, the fact that we wake up everyday is more enough favour. God works in mysterious ways, it took just mangoes for Thelma to realize the wonderful things God has been doing for her.
We should try and be contented with what we have.look up to God with faith and he will shower us his blessing abundantly
Very lovely story! I have been in Thelma’s situation and I sowed a seed for God to assist me with a need and it’s worked out for me but i feel Thelma is not contented with what God has given her. She is complaining that God is not favouring her, the gift of life is enough favour. I won’t blame her though we are all human beings we will always want more.
the story is so touching and inspiring.
most time we go about asking God for things without taking into cognizance the little but essential things he continues to provide for her, even if Thelma wanted materials things a lot, i also have something to learn from her. The fact that she does not leave any one who come to her for help empty-handed has challenged me into giving arms.
Thanks for the story Ma.
I feel that Christians should not have such mind sets while doing things for their lord or start waiting for appreciation, the fact that we wake up everyday is more enough favour. God works in mysterious ways, it took just mangoes for Thelma to realize the wonderful things God has been doing for her.
There is a saying that “blessed be the one that giveth than the one that taketh. Thelma giving spirit is very nice. She always help anyone with the little she have, you must not have everything in this world before you help another. It is always good to do good to people as God will always provide your own helper when you are in need , God bless you ma.
There is a saying that “blessed is that, that giveth than that, which taketh. Thelma giving spirit is very nice. She help anyone with the little she has, you don’t need to have everything in this world before you help another. It is always good to do good to people as God will always provide your own helper when you are in need, God bless you ma.
Give not because you are expecting something back but give because your heavenly father will definitely reward you.
Givers never lack, be a cheerful giver when you have enough resource to give. Be a blessing to someone life always by giving.
Give because it is good not because you want something in return. God is a father who knows the need of his children and he will do them in due time.
Thelma’s tale is a lesson for evryone today, to try to be contented with the little they have and even if it can’t serve to aid their circumstances, they can alleviate their situation in the right manner/way.
This trend of sowing seeds is now growing rapidly in churches. Thelma has a comfortable life but wants more, she put her whole being into seeing the big return God would bless her with but she was disappointed. This is greed speaking
this is a very big lesson to us.Thelma was actually expecting more than she received.lets be contented with what we had.
This is a very big lesson to everyone. Thelma was expecting more than she received. We should be contented with what we have.
Humans fail woefully in the aspect of thanksgiving, we only want more and fail to acknowledge the little things given to us by God. We should cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving and gratefulness even at little things done for us by our fellow humans
God loves those who are contented with what they have. Thank you ma for such a wonderful post
I once acted like Thelma. That was when I sowed and gave freely, hoping to receive more from God. But after a while nothing happened and I was upset. But little did I know that I’m blessed more than I was expecting. It is good not to question the plans which God has for us because it is written in the bible that the plans God has for us are of good and not of evil, to give us an expected end. So, to crown it all, “givers never lack”.
God’s plan is the best no matter how much we pray. the blessing comes when he wants it to come and if they don’t come, then, God has a reason for not giving out the blessing. However every body must not be wealthy.
One thing about our father is that he tolerates our silliness. i do not think she should be called greedy, its human to want more. shows that we should continue in our path of giving, it never stops paying. and that she like the rest of us will see the reward of our deeds in every thing around us; even a bowl of mangoes.
Precisely my thoughts lately.
The Thelma in our story, is really of good conduct.
But, like everyone else, the wrong attitude of giving with ulterior expectations, doesn’t really give a good picture.
It is unarguably wrong that we give in the knowledge that we receive as well.
The best expression of true generosity is that which gives with pure joy and without the thought of possible receiving.
May we be encouraged to choose well in similar circumstances.
Thelma is indeed a cheerful giver even after spending all she had in buying a car,she still gave anuli the assistance she needed.God bless thelma
The story is very interesting and educative, thelma is a good giver no doubt but her demanding God to give her money for money is wrong. God doesn’t work like that he bless us how best he feels is right for us and that’s why he gives her salary that is enough to solve her problems. God bless u ms. Ohaja
It clearly shows how we as humans are not satisfied with what we have at the moment ,we want to have it all at the same time not stopping to take a look at those who don’t have at all.No matter your condition if there’s life there’s hope for better things ahead, we shouldn’t crave for what others have because we want to belong.
I don’t think Thelma is greedy, she was just praying for Gods favour with the hope that givers shall never lack and that God loves a cheerful giver. she just wants to receive the way she gives.the story was all about coping and hoping. and finally, Ezinwanne brought mangoes that is “small but mighty” in Thelma’s life. I love your stories aunty Edith. thank you
Well! to me, this is not greed on the part of Thelma, rather she is impatient. She also wants to get favours commensurate with her giving, forgetting that the ways of man are not the same with the ways of GOD. Moreover, human wants/needs from time immemorial are INSATIABLE, Thelma’s inclusive. But thank GOD, she later realised that God favours her in many ways.
Lol… sometimes it seems God is deaf that he don’t hear our request, it is so because we do ask for wrong thing in wrong way.. we should always ask for God’s grace in our life. Solomon in Bible ask just for wisdom from God……..Amazingly God doubled his request and bless him abundantly. Thelma should know that God work in a mysterious way and not garbage in garbage out… I love this.
This is not only Thelma’s misinterpretation of what giving and receiving should be, it extends to almost all Christians and amount to why there are many unanswered prayers, as emphasized by the gospel of James. This made Christians to loose hope when greed request is not marched and seek refuge where their is no refuge. God help us from this greed nature as you helped Thelma.
Thelma seems to be a devoted child of God, but she hasnt got all it takes. Maybe she forgot the Holy Spirit dosent work with noise. The continuous complaints was a show of ingratitude, never having to at least sit still, think and appreciate the fact that she has what others do not have.
Christians today give to God with the mindset of receiving something else in return, just like Thelma, but then they forget that God has a time for everything, and just like the Bible says, when your time comes, God will restore to you doublefold. My advice to Christians out there is to give to God not because you want something else in return but because you want to appreciate Him for what you have.
For me, i think that thelma have got all she needs in life because God cannot give us everything we pray for because we think we lack them, God only gives us that which he knows that we truly need. Thelma should be contented with what she has. The fiance Anayo is not doing that bad,he is a hardworking man and no one knows what might come up tomorrow because the world keeps on revolving and one day he might be remembered. So thelma should try and stick by him now he needs her the more.. Thanks to you ma for this piece of work.
I believe that one cannot understand the bible unless that person must be filled with holy spirit in other to understand what the passage is really talking about. For Thelma was acting based on what the scripture says not knowing that faith without work is dead. Moreover Thelma was so much concerned with earthly possession but the bible says that we should seek yea the kingdom of God first and every other thing shall be added unto you.
I love this story because it teaches us to help the needy like the saying goes”God loves a cheerful giver” and by so doing this we Christians will reap the fruit of our labour.It also teaches us that we shouldn’t be attached to earthly things because they can vanish anytime and may not be there forever
This is the mistake we make, most times we give expecting so much in return,because of this we are tested by God to see if we can be patient when he doesn’t answer us as soon as we ask.
Thelma displayed the virtues of a good Christian . The virtues of persistence to God and patience .Not minding that all her prayers and expectations didn’t go through .But she was able to acknowledge God’s favour in her life after eating mangoes brought by her neighbor.
Thelma worries too much of things that she is not supposed to do. This also serves as a lesson to people who are like her and want to gain everything through favour and are greedy to acquire earthly things.
Thelma is a good and cheerful giver and helps people in whatever way she can. According to Ecclesiastes 3, there is time for everything. Meaning that she should have waited for God patiently because he (God) does not take permission before he blesses u.
Thelma should just try to understand that although she sows finanacially, that doesn’t guarantee the fact that God will bless her financially. There are so many ways God has blessed her without her knowing. Nice post ma?
This story is a very wonderful one that every one can learn a lot from. It teaches us that alms giving is important, no matter how small you may think it is.
For me, I won’t say that Thelma is greedy because givers never lack. She has given so she should expect reward.
I have once sowed a seed, asking God to do something for me, and God did answer my prayer. It is not a must that when you sow a seed with money , you will be expecting to receive a bigger amount of money as in the case of Thalme, God chooses what to give you. I think that her giving out her car and expecting God to give her a bigger one is out of greed.
Like my pastor would say, if you make a request and God doesn’t grant it, probably you don’t need it or it’s not the right time for you to have it. Although we believe that God sees our heart and knows our heart’s desires, God grants our wishes when they are in accordance with His will. Thelma wasn’t greedy, all she needed was to hear from God.
Thelma is a strong willed cheerful giver and as a result of her act, God blesses her in diverse ways but Thelma believes that as she gives she must get back in return and this can be seen in the case of her relationship with Anayo
We should always be grateful for what we have, for there are others who wish to be where we are. Whenever we set our mind to give, we should do so willingly with our whole heart and mind, not to expect a reward but to offer a helping hand, for even the bible tells us that our reward is in heaven. Thelma has what she asks for already, God has blessed her with a high paying job so she can care for her needs and even that of her family members, but she fails to see this because she desires a favour from somebody other than herself. We don’t know what we have until we lose it.
I really understood her feelings. Sometimes you give and give and give and you may be tempted to ask yourself, am I the only one giving? Can’t I receive too? But the truth remains that God is the one in charge and He determines how He blesses His children.While for some, it may be financially, for others, it may be health or some other things. For those who find themselves in such situation, they should not give up because, have they wondered how they were able to always meet those needs and who has been responsible for the provision of the resources they use in meeting those needs?
This story will serve as a lesson to people who think the only favour they get from God is wealth and riches. God favours us in many ways, our sleeping and waking, journey mercies, etc. are favours from God.
It is funny how people hunger for more in a silly way. No wonder when economics says”human wants can never be satisfied”. At whichever stage we are on the food chain we should know we are better than somebody.
Another funny part of the story is leaving money around the house. It has become a normal thing for everybody today.
Thelma was carried away by things she will receive from people forgetting the gift of life,good health and good job God provided for her.we should be grateful for what we have.dis story really inspired me.tnks ma
When we give to others cheerfully, God rewards us directly or indirectly.His rewards might not necessarily come in form of money/financial blessings. It may take other forms such as life,good health etc.Maybe this was what Thelma failed to realize that made her think God was not rewarding her generosity. We should be willing and happy to give to others who are in need. God sees it and will definitely reward us.
Her crave for money is way too much that how nice and kind she really is is ignored.
Thelma seems like a really nice character that finds delight in helping the needy, she’s almost selfless if not that she gives with the hope of always getting back financially.
I enjoyed reading this.
My own view of Thelma is that she is materialistic,i feel bad as to how she viewed anayo of not being able to favour her in substantial ways.Indeed God has blessed her but she has failed as a Christian to think marriage is a joke.
most people of nowadays fail to recognise the work GOD does in their lives and as such tend to blame him, this is the very reason that turn people into atheists, however no matter the situation, we must always remember that our heavenly father is always watching?…
I think , what Telma needs at this very point is thanksgiving, for if she appreciates God for the little He did for her,He will do more,(etoo dike na nke omelu ome ozo).Ingratitude to God doesn’t provoke further blessing from Him.Telma should understand this fact.
Thelma is a cheerful giver but her selfish desire lured her into forgetting that a giver never lacks and this made her to question God’s ability without remembering that he works in a mysterious way.
Superb!.
There is a very big difference between giving willingly and giving because you have to or to fulfill all righteousness that you gave somebody something. Many Christians do give big because they want to receive big while within them there is no inner joy.and this is also in the case of Thelma,all she wanted is to receive as she gives As a Christian, if you give willingly you won’t have time to be questioning God .God bless you ma for this lovely write up.
i really pity Thelma and i get her feelings. i mean when one is always the one giving, it becomes somehow, everyone needs to be given something at a point because it shows love and besides, has anyone ever thought of the fact that when she give out like that, her money tends to finish and she in turn cannot meet her own expenses? Then again, on the other hand, i think she is greedy too, because she has a lot of things that people out there are killing for and yet she wants more and also, if she doesn’t want to help out in taking care of her relatives, why does she do it? is it not better to do that with an open heart than to do it complaining all the way or not to do it at all? There is also the issue of her fiance Anayo, why on earth will she still want to push through with marriage? doesn’t realize that marriage is a life long commitment???
whenever a seed is sown in the church, people see it as an opportunity for God to bless then with something tangible but forgotten that there are other ways by with the Lord protects them. Thelma should bear in mind that God knows the best for her.
Giving out when we are in the position to do so is very good and encouraging, and for the fact that God loves and bless a cheerful giver doesn’t mean we should always expect to receive when we give out, God blesses us when we give, but telling him how to bless us is the wrong side.
Thelma, should just be patient and content with what she has. God knows what she needs and what she doesn’t really need. Besides, she has the one to spend and even offer as help to the needy. so she should just be calm.
I think Thelma was being materialistic. She wanted a car and she prayed for it but she wasn’t patient enough to wait and trust God for it. Maybe she would have gotten it as a gift. Thelma doesn’t even know Anayo’s worth. In the future, she would be so grateful to God for not leaving him. Quite didactic.
This story is a clear depiction of the saying -‘count your blessings,name them one by one and it will surprise you what the lord has done’. People fail to realise that God’s blessings are way more than money and material things.
Again,one should learn to give without wanting back. once you give with the hope of getting something back, It is no longer cheerful giving but now eye service.
Anytime we are trusting on God for something, we should not lose hope but always believe in him not looking at the circumstances around, the difficulties, the challenges or what people will say but believe in God because when God answers your prayers, your neighbours and those that mock you will celebrate with you.
Well I can say that Thelma is a persistent strong lady…she is blessed beyond her expectations but didn’t discover it. God gave her all she needed to be balanced in life but she wanted more. Only mangoes changed her mind set. Oh! Lord change my mindset towards things.
Read the end again. She didn’t change her mind.
This is one problem we human beings have, we always think about our own desire and forget to bring the plans of God into the picture. Yes Thelma was a cheerful giver, but her problem is that she does it with the intention of getting something in return which the Bible objects. Thelma only counted her losses instead of gains, at least she has the gift of life, a good job and so on. God may be fighting another battle for her but her eyes were too closed with material things (especially, the financial aspect) for her to see it. This is an interesting story which teaches us to always have a thankful heart and be contented with what we have.
Hmm…its really an interesting story ma giving or helping people out is good but d case of Thelma is quite different to be expecting a reward n also complaining DAT she gives without receiving.. When we give you do it wid our whole heart than doin it fr a reward.. Although we are all humans we HV dar mindset that wen much is given much is expected yea…its true buh not in all cases well we should be grateful to be able to comfortably provide fr oursef n ours…
I can go with Thelma’s ideology of reaping exactly what is sown. Because even the Bible says in 2Cor9:6 says, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ” This verse suggests that you reap according to what you sow. So her notion is justifiable. She expected more due to size of seed she sows. I can’t deem her greedy but rather over expectant. Thanks
At the beginningbeginning of the story, I felt like Thelma is greedy but going down the story i didn’t blame her much because we humans is insatiable. I equally believe that any one in her shoe will behave same way.
Though we should always be thankful with whatever thing we have but judging from Thelma’s view she really tried her best as a human and many people depended on her and at the same time I believe that God’s time is the best
God bless you ma
Quite a nice write up .This really entails the contemporary world theory; the rich wants to get richer while the poor are absolutely getting poorer. I don’t really see Thelma to be utterly greedy , because if one sows bountifully he or she will reap bountifully, instead one should be grateful to God and try to help the poor as much as possible.
As for me, I don’t think Thelma was greedy; she was just impatient. She wanted to receive as much as she gives, but I think the greatest receivers are those that gives without expecting.
About Anayo. I’ve always think love is all that matters in a relationship, but I could be wrong because the guy should be able to fend for his partner, but Thelma should try and focuse on the best part of him. What is little today may tomorrow become abundant.
Giving is a good thing especially when you give liberally not grudgingly expecting nothing in return like praises from men and favour from God.When you give you shouldn’t be expecting anything in return like in the case of Thelma. We should not inculcate the habit of giving and receiving its a bad ideology.Thanks
We learn how to appreciate God for what he has done for us, there is this saying that Appreciation is an application for more.
Also we should learn to be a humanitarian rather than a philanthropist who gives for people to praise him/her.
The two things that “offend God” the most are ingratitude (confessing not His hand) and greed. Let’s learn why we should be grateful so that we don’t offend God.
Great blessings are promised to those who are grateful. The Lord said, “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more” Let us follow the counsel of Paul who said, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
As humans, there is every tendency that we feel bad, when God doesn’t give us what we want. We feel bad and think he doesn’t care about us, our feeling or need but if we can count our blessing and name them one by one, we will see the great things he has done for us.
i think she believed that you receive exactly what you give out in the name of favour without realising that favour can come in many other ways. and thats what i just learnt now. thanks ma for the lesson.
Indeed, it is a very touching story, sometime I see myself in Thelma’s shoe. I shouldn’t say Thelma is right or wrong, but it always our expectation as Christian. Sometime we felt cheated after doing what we think we are doing for God to bless us, somehow turn to be fruitless “just as we assume”. But in this, we have forgotten all the Good things God as being doing for us. We just believe that as long as God is not doing that thing which our heart long for, God is not doing anything. See my life as little as I was achieving what I achieved till the point my elder ones were telling me “congratulations you have be favoured, but jet still I was still asking God a lot of questions Thelma asked. I still wanted God to favour me financially as he is favouring others. Sometime I felt I have done enough to be favoured financially, but jet it is not coming to me. But I pray for grace to be Grateful heart and not to be ingrate for his grace is need sufficient unto me and I can achieve more.
Thanks mma for this wonderful story indeed it has enlightening my soul.
What is so important about generosity? Well for Christians, their God is generous and they have a calling to be conformed into the image of Christ. Speaking of, our example on the earth was so generous, He was willing to give his life as a ransom for our sin. He has given us eternal life when all we deserved was judgment. The thought of that provokes gratitude. It also provokes action – mercy, justice, grace and love. But isn’t that what generosity embodies? … mercy, justice, grace and love. It is because we have experienced forgiveness of sins that we can forgive others. It is because God has treated us righteously that we can treat others righteously. It is because God has extended grace to us that we can extend grace to others. It is because God has loved us that we can love others.
Thelma was a cheerful giver according to the story line, but her problem was that we expects double in return of what she gives like sooner which does not work that way. This story reminds me of a saying which states that human wants are limitless, which means that man can never be satisfied. Moreover that doesn’t change the fact that Thelma was a nice woman because even thou her fiancé wasn’t helping her financially, she still respects him.
I truly enjoyed the story. Sometimes when I ponder on things that I need God to do for me, I think of how far the year has gone and how I’m yet to reach where I dream to be, I still cannot over look the wonderful things that God has blessed me with: thanking God for what I am and have and where He is taking me to. I don’t think it’s wrong to hope for and expect greater things.
A captivating and intriguing story which teaches a lot.Both the good and the bad.Thelma is resilient in giving,but she is always feeling that when you give automatically opens an opportunity to receive or expect someone to give you back that same measure or kind of what you gave.Giving is commendable and applaud able but leaving it to God to repay you or decide what favor or kind of blessing is great
I think Thelma is just being plain greedy. All things happen at their own time. Rushing to acquire the latest car or build the latest house just to show off is a sign of immaturity. After emptying your bank account to pay for a car you can barely afford, what next?
“The good should be done and evil should be avoided”, this is one notion of goodness which I live with. It is really an awesome thing to be cheerful, but know that your goodness and reward is seen and given by him who sees in secret and rewards secretly. So it would have been more awesome if Thelma had given without expecting rewards or something from humans.
This story is a captivating one and very didactic. Many a times,we have fallen victims of this same case. Thelma was a devout Christian and very cheerful, but she lacked the understanding that favours from God can come in diverse ways not necessarily “a tooth for a tooth”.we should all learn from this story and understand the workings of the father in heaven. Thank you ma’am for this wonderful story
I have learned so much from this, Thelma is such a good soul,she loves helping others. We have to be patient in life to succeed. We have to remind God his words, hold unto him he will answer you when he thinks you are ready for such blessing
The story was such a wonderful one. Sometimes even when we have prayed for a particular thing, the Lord just ignores us. I have learnt that patience is the only way to stay happy in such a situation. We have to remind the Lord of His word but He will not give us a blessing we are not ready for..
A nice story of encouragement and inspiration. Thelma a lady of 29 years-unmarried has two characters I envy that is; not depending on anyone and taking responsibilities.
It is not greed because Mal. 3 makes it clear concerning tithing, giving and sowing of seeds, that those that will do these,He will bless abundantly, also Christians should be conscious to differentiate between the voice of God and that of the enemy by having a close relationship with Him.
The story is quite an inspiring, Thelma was being greedy by buying Car when she had other important needs to attend to. her thought when ever you give something out you expect another one in return is wrong . Is wrong to give cause you will expect double in return give cause you want help one in need. She was too materialistic, money doesn’t matter in a relationship but love and a God fearing man.
Thelma’s feelings are very relate-able. Sometimes, when I give, I ask God for something in return.
One thing I fail to realize is that having enough and being able to help others financially or otherwise is already a gift from God.
Greed is a natural instinct. Just like every other negative desire that comes with the flesh, we should strive to overcome it through the Holy Spirit.
I don’t really agree with Thelma in the aspect of Christians being entitled to the harvest of their seeds in the areas they sowed. We should know that God loves a cheerful giver, and with Gods love, we are already blessed. On the contrary,her attitude and way of thinking towards her fiancé is not encouraging at all. She should know that money is not everything, do far their love for each other is strong and genuine, its enough. She should also pray for Gods favour and hope for a better tomorrow.
thats one thing with all this rich people they are usually stingy with helping the needy not knowing that one day God can make all their wealth to vanish, but Thelma in this story takes responsibility and portrays a good Christain. Buh she does not know that God is the giver and taker especially with the way she treated her fiancee, Anayo. It was such a wonderful story, ma. Ride on!
We have a lot of Thelma(s) in the world today especially in the Christian religion. People who try to boss God around and teach Him the right way to bless them. As Christians the concept of “God’s timing” should be something we should strictly hang on to.
Don’t pay tithes and donate to the church because you want an SUV or Range Rover from the Halls of Heaven
Do it because it’s right and you love the Lord that much
Don’t be like Thelma. Try being like Job
I have sown seeds before expecting favours and help from the Lord and He did it for me but Thelma is totally wrong sowing with the intention to receive alone. Giving out your car should be out of love and passion to see others comfortable not just about yourself or what you will receive for doing so.
Her attitude towards her fiance is wrong I have seen homes with lots of gifts and money to throw without the features in Anayo scatter she should stop dwelling on now or today, tomorrow has more to offer. And she has received so many favours she is not acknowledging like the mango she got from her neighbor
Thelma is just being greedy, she even has the money to buy a car that’s a testimony sister. Forgetting that there are other people who do not have the money to buy a bicycle. She’s just so materialistic she wants to tell God how to bless her.
Thelma is a cheerful giver and God loves a cheerful giver. There’s no harm in giving, sowing seeds with a free and generous heart. Though sometimes, the blessings may not come immediately but definitely it will.
Thelma like most Christians ignore the real purpose of giving. She is blessed but is blinded by her expectations that she don’t see the hands of God in her life. She is favoured because the lord blessed her with the resource to buy the car and extra money to do thanksgiving, someone gave her mangoes without her asking and the blessing didn’t end with her but her family also. She thinks it is when Dangote comes and give her billions that sh knows how blessed she is. May our eyes not be blind to the blessings of the lord over our life.
It’s not greed,their is joy in receiving even if we hv all. It makes us feel we are loved and been cared for……it’s not greed it’s favour.
This is a nice piece. I enjoyed the story. I don’t think that asking favour from the Lord is being greedy. But what Thelma didn’t realize is that she was already favoured. She is an instrument of help to others that practically makes her a blessing to the people around her. What could be more than that favour? God has a way of favouring His children but we fail to realize it most times. If we should reflect on our lives we will realize we are favoured every day of our lives. Bless u ma.
Well I believe everything comes at the appointed time, it may be dry now and later things will get better. Thelma shouldn’t be so hard on herself because God ways are not the way of men, he will make a way for us at our appointed time we should all continue to be fervent in prayers!
Thelma’s mistake was giving not with her whole heart but with the mind of getting more back. Although it is true that you only receive when you give, that shouldn’t be the basis for giving as its only when you give wholeheartedly that this saying works.
Thelma also failed to realize that she has indeed been favoured by God. The fact that she was the marketing manager of a large pharmaceutical firm who had her own apartment, could afford to buy herself a car and still have extra cash to help people in need is indication enough that God has blessed and favoured her so much, for it is not every young unmarried lady that can do this. She should be glad that she can confidently say she is a self made independent woman.
Many at times we make mistake, thinking that God is a man, GOD knows our heart, what is good for us and we always forgot that his ways are not the ways of man, Gods time is the best. I have severally found my self in thelmas shoe, sewing seed and waiting to recieve my reward immediately and i give up if i did not see the result coming up forgetting that God answers prayer and show favour in his time and in so many ways. Anyone can act more curious than thelma but i still love her act of charity,for sure givers never lack even though she thought she is not favoured but think of how many single ladies can cater for them self and still help others that is what she forgot.
It is always good to be thankful to God and pour out your heart to God in prayer instead of mere complain. Thelma has a heart of giving but she is an ungrateful type for the fact that God has blessed her with a job that fetches her money is enough for her to always be grateful to God. Thelma on the hand of Anayo her fiance, she should just quit the relationship since she is not comfortable with him because this may cause a big problem between two of them later.
We should always be appreciative for the little favour we are given . Thelma was just being greedy for the fact that God blessed her with a job is enough reason for her to be grateful to God, being grateful will always pave another ways for us. And again instead of complaining or questioning God over some situations, we should learn to pour our heart to God in prayer. Thelma on the hand of Anayo,her fiance should quit the relationship since she is not comfortable with Anayo in order to avoid commotion in future or learn to love Anayo for who he is.
It’s not always easy giving out with out receiving. I don’t think any one will ever be happy in that position. But what we should understand is that most at times, we receive in ways we didn’t expect to. Things like good health, job, love and others are all part of the gifts we receive but takes them for granted.
The rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer,we should be satisfied with the little that we have for greediness can lead to bad things
I understand Thelma’s frustration,but she should consider the fact that, the God who placed her in a position to help others will always provide her with the means. Most times God works in ways we don’t understand; but we have to trust him to make everything beautiful in the end.
The good should be done and evil should be avoided”, this is one notion of goodness which I live with. It is really an awesome thing to be cheerful, but know that your goodness and reward is seen and given by him who sees in secret and rewards secretly. So it would have been more awesome if Thelma had given without expecting rewards or something from humans. this is however not only Thelma’s misinterpretation of what giving and receiving should be, it extends to almost all Christians and amount to why there are many unanswered prayers, as emphasized by the gospel of James. This made Christians to loose hope when greed request is not marched and seek refuge where their is no refuge. God help us from this greed nature as you helped Thelma.
It’s not greed to ask for God’s blessings in your life. I have come to the realization that people become dissatisfied with little things once God blesses them in some big way. So they strive to acquire bigger blessings and they often times lose sight of God’s plan for them. We should learn to appreciate every blessing given to is by God no matter how small because no blessing is actually small. Another thing is when God blesses us, he expects us to use the gift and bless others too. I’m glad the girl later saw the bigger picture.
I think Thelma’s policy of never to leave anyone who comes to her for help empty handed is the best seed she had sown and keeps sowing,and because of that, God keeps blessing her and gives her money to help people, but she doesn’t realize that she has been reaping all this while,the demands keep coming and she keeps helping, isn’t God wonderful?
She wants favours from people,but God placed her above, to be a giver and not a receiver.She needs to appreciate that.
Why not find reasons to be greatful and thankful to God always instead of expecting more and more from God… Focus on living a righteous life, sowing seeds,and helping the needy and believe me , you ll be shocked when you look back and recount your blessings. God sees everything, he never sleeps nor slumbers and He ll bless you at His appointed time. God bless you
I really find the whole sowing seeds and expecting a certain type of favour funny.
Givers never lack and this would be the case of Thelma. She has a beautiful soul. Glad she realised that blessings come in different forms and not only financially too. It’s really a beautiful story.
Did she really realise it? You probably didn’t read her insistence at the end of the story. Cheers!
Thelma is not the only one that gives with the hope of receiving in a double fold. But one thing we must know is that God pays or rather rewards our good deeds in many ways;The gift of life,his mercies and protections upon us etc, are all rewards. It must not come in form of money before we appreciate him.
The happiness you have today is a gift because not everyone is privileged to be happy.
We should always help the needy when we are able to. This is because, the only time we live or feel alive is when we see someone happy and know that we are the reason for the person’s happiness.
it’s a nice story. Inasmuch as God knows the best for us, we ought not to dictate to him on which favour with which he is supposed to reward us. In that sense, we did not sow any seed for the life He has given us. Whereas it is not greed to sow a seed for a specific intention, it would be greedy to insist on which reward we want. We cannot be more generous than God.
While giving, we’re expected to do it from the depth of our heart without expecting anything in return. God that sees all her effort would reward her in his own time. For the fact that something is not coming doesn’t mean it won’t come eventually.
Nice write up Ma,i have once done like Thelma (giving and expecting something in return) though it really worked as i wanted but that doesn’t mean that it works like that everyday. We should learn to give whole heartedly without expecting anything in return because we are fully assured in the Bible that givers never lack. Though hard times will surely come but we should always have faith and trust in God.
Some people give to receive which is not a good thing. Give from your heart not to receive and God will bless us without us knowing.
Thelma portrayed the life of some present day Christians who demand (and not request) that their prayers be answered. She exhibited Tue attitude of greed by telling God all she had done and reasons why her prayer should be answered, God’s time is the best, he knows what you need, not what you want, he knows what is best for you and that us what he will provide you with.
Wow!!…givers never lack indeed we should always help without having the mindest of receiving back indeed little favours we do for people may turn out to be our saving grace. What we have today and complaining about it not being enough may be what someone else needs to survive for that particular moment therefore we should be grateful and thankful.
Givers never lack we should always try to give to thosebin need cheerfully so God will give us in return
God’s ways of doing things are not the ways of men. Someone might think that a particular thing is what is needed in their life to bring fufilment, but it instead ends up being toxic, because it wasn’t God’s plan right from the start. Just because what u believe you should acquire hasn’t arrived, doesn’t mean u have been abandoned by God. I pray God gives us all the grace to be grateful and contented.
Giving with the expectation of getting more is just like wedding, expecting to realize what you spent from the money your invitees give you.
We should give because we want to give, not because we want something in return.
It’s good to help others that are in need but we shouldn’t always expect anything back in return like it’s compulsory or our birthright for being generous. It is from the goodness of our heart and God will surely reward us sooner or later but not in the manner we expect
This story just highlighted the problems we teenagers are facing this days.. That sickness is impatience. Thelma would have waited more, at least she could have worked extra 2 or 3 years so that she can be able to save money for a car. We human don’t know that most times God don’t always bless us financially, we forgot that the lives we are living is a huge blessing because many have died and therefore, don’t have the privilege to be alive. This story is very educative.
Thelma failed to understand that God blesses us in different ways. God may decide to bless you through different channels, for instance, she expected that when you sow you car as a seed, you should get a bigger car in return. No, God doesn’t think like man does, she should have understood that God always provides for her to take care of herself, family and anyone who comes in contact with her. that’s enough reward for good deeds done. “for the thoughts I think towards you are thought of good and not of evil to give you an expected end” God nay not hive us a particular thing because his knows we may not handle that thing or that position well and it could lead to our destruction, so he plans for us are for a better life. we should all know and understand that the ways of men, are not and can never be the way of God. MA, I thank God for the grace on wisdom in you to make us understand our practical more with your piece. thank you ma
I enjoyed the story. I don’t think that asking favour from the Lord is being greedy. But what Thelma didn’t realize is that she was already favoured. While giving, we’re expected to do it from the depth of our heart without expecting anything in return.
Thelma should be happy and grateful to God
She has a nice job and also blessed with an SUV car
Is good to be a giver not a beggar….
The love of money is the root of all evil, You should be contended with the little you have and also try as much as possible to reach out help to people that we are better than according to your own ability.
The Bible says, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things will be added unto you.Thelma’s greed have prevented her from seeing that she is already highly favoured by God,considering her position in her place of work,that so many people are yearning for.
God surprises us when we least expect it, and not when we keep on questioning Him about it. Sometimes He’s just testing our faith and patience. And also when we are in the position to help out someone out but don’t because we don’t get anything in return, its just being insensitive and silly just like the voice told Thelma.
Sometimes, its better to live with what one has than to strive for more that are not needed. Greed is bad-that awful thing tgat makes us want to keep having without good reason. In all, one must learn to be happy with what one has at any given moment in life.
Surely, givers never lack. Even if it seems like we’re not getting anything in return it’s probably because we’re giving with the mindset of getting something back in return and when it’s not forthcoming we fall into the cycle of frustration.
I just believe that sowing seed financially will definitely multiply especially when It’s been used to help someone in need or used for something good. It might be delayed or come immediately, but the fact still remains that it must surely come. I have been a victim, and i can testify to that.
Most times God bless us with little things without us realising because we expect too much.The air we breath and the protection is enough to be thankful for.
Hahahaha, Ezinwanne is funny. it is really no fun paying all your bills while others sing of financial favour all around you, but it’s a good thing she knows favour could takes different forms cause some are still ignorant of this. I don’t think it would be better if anyone should lose good health or protection, guidance etc.for financial favour; not like God can’t give all.
I believe God’s thoughts towards his own are thoughts of good and to give them a expected ended and he also knows how to give good gifts to his own. Thelma lacks some spiritual maturity. Sometimes we neglect the gift of life. Probably God has been rewarding her with gift of life as way of rewarding her seeds. Also, God ways are far beyond our ways. So be grateful for what you have now and thank him in advance for what he will give you.
Thelma reminds me of certain christians out there who have the idea that the reason for giving is receiving double fold.
Favour actually comes in many ways not just financially.
There is something some christians don’t understand, you giving, sowing, committing financially both to the kingdom and to the needy doesn’t necessarily mean you will be the one to reap the fruit of that labour. It can be your family, it can be your children, it can be the 3rd generation.
Just because financial favour isn’t coming doesn’t mean you’re not favoured. The mango is a very good example. Look into your life and you’ll notice there is favour. For you to be able to buy a Lexus 330 means you have financial capacity and that is a favour from God.
Humans are insatiable. Most times we keep wanting that we lose sight of the small things God does for us. We should always be grateful. I love this story because I do this a lot.
Human wants are insatiable, the more you get, the more you want. Individuals should pay more attention to what they need instead of what they want because the end point of extreme desire is self destruction. However, when we do good, we shouldn’t base our rewards on earth because earthly things will all pass away.
Thelma was just being greedy. You don’t help others and expect something in return. Besides, God has blessed her in so much way far better than financial blessing. The gift of life and good health is great indeed.
I personally think Thelma lacks maturity spiritually. There is no way you’ll be working in God’s vineyard and he won’t be working things out for you things you actually know nothing about or probably something you think doesn’t matter, God knows our needs and he does each one when it’s time comes. We have to be grateful to God for everything.
Wow I really really love this. I don’t think Thelma was greedy with her prayers,but as Christians we are meant to give with our whole heart and not be in expectation of anything. I feel the same God that made it possible for you to help people will definitely not abandon you in your own time of need. Nice piece ma
Someone said that until u let go, u can not lay hold… Letting go here is giving out and the best form of giving is when it is done without expecting something in return especially from the receiver.. now bring God to the picture, we should consider it a rare privilege whenever we are opportuned to give to him, because actually what ever we give to him was actually given to us by him… It just like a mother giving a child a loaf of bread and turned to request a bite from the baby…. We should not attach anything when we give God … The problem we have most of the time is that we have so much conditioned our mind to believing that God is a money doubler… No! That is what I called bankruptcy of mentality… Look at this now, do u know that your body don’t know today’s date neither does it know u are in room or outside, what ever u know is actually conditioned by your mindset… So, let us always bear in mind that God has done more than enough for us… Even in that worst situations he is still God… I believe with this mentality we receive more from him..
Sure! I had the experience. Sowing with a particular need in mind, of course, it didn’t suddenly materialise like I wanted it to. But definitely, that doesn’t mean God didn’t care but like His Word points out, He makes things beautiful in its time, not when you wish it would because you’ve done/given something. Whatever giving should be just that – giving, and not giving to take, after all, it’s not like God is a money doubler… Thelma has a lot to be grateful for, but like most people, we can’t be grateful for blessings already received and favour we’ve already been shown while we’re fixated on some new thing we wish were ours. Thelma however has to consciously avoid being overly materialistic, so she doesn’t ruin her peace of mind and jeopardise her relationship with her God-given man. Easy does it! I was touched by quite a number of things in the story but I think, Ezinwanne’s kind thoughtfulness stands out. She gave ‘so little’ but it had a great impact. Just like the widow’s mite. Keep writing ma’am! And God bless you and your family inJesusName.
We should appreciate every little thing God has given to us.Thelma is human and human wants are insatiable but complaining won’t help her in any way. being thankful for the little things God diverts for us daily will help us go far
Greediness never pays oh..in our country like this,the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer.we should be grateful and contented with what God has given us..we should not force this on our own accord..we should let God lead and be the pilot of our affairs.
It is better to give than to receive, God knows the perfect time to bless us for all our good works, even when we think our prayers are been delayed we should learn how to thank God for the ones he has done previously, cause when there is life there is HOPE.
Like thelma,i always sow seeds and when i don’t see anything i begin to doubt.I think that is spiritual immaturity and i pray God helps me as well as anyone struggling with this problem.Also we should always give if we are in a priviledged position.We should count our favours and trust in God
Some Christians think that paying tithes or sowing seed means that all problems are solve.As Christians we should be grateful and thankful for the favour we receive from God no matter how small it is.
Giving is indeed a beautiful thing, only God blesses all gifts and I pray that God helps those who doubt him when it comes to giving.
We should give things and don’t expect gift in return.
We need patience to actually walk with God… His ways are not our ways and he favours us in different ways.
Sometimes we don’t know God’s plan for us that is why we should learn to be grateful to God always and also be contented with what we have
God bless you ma.
Christians should have the mind of giving out even if it’s little, there’s always a favour behind it even if we aren’t getting anything in return, giving should be one of their qualities.
There’s nothing like always be greatful to God and be contented.
Even while expecting a lot from God, as we pray we should patiently wait for Him with a happy heart.
The ways of God are different. He knows the best for us.