HOW RICH IS YOUR BANK OF GOODWILL?

As elections are approaching, politicians are on their best behaviour – honouring invitations, donating in kind and cash to organisations and communities, etc. They want to create an image of altruism for themselves. They have their aides writing superb speeches and lectures analysing Nigeria’s and their locality’s problems and proffering solutions. Anything to sway the electorate is on the cards for now.

But where were these politicians a few months or years ago? Are the problems they are dissecting new? What did they do in their previous elected or appointed positions to tackle them? Where was this overflow of care, insight and concern to make Nigeria better they are currently showing before? These are questions the rest of us need to ask in order to gauge their sincerity.

It is not only politicians who need public help and support. None of us is an island. Everyone of us will at one time or another need to rely on our neighbours, kinsmen, work or business colleagues and other associates for something. Gaining their co-operation usually depends on the pre-existing relationships we have with them. Do they know us? What are their impressions about us? Can they say we are wise, thoughtful and benevolent or do they see us as empty, crafty and mean? Is there anything they can say we did for them or others in the past, something positive? If we have occupied an influential position, are there people we have lifted or have we only benefitted ourselves and our families?

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In other words, how rich is our bank of goodwill? I remember the late MKO Abiola. He traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria for years with his philanthropy. When eventually he declared his presidential aspiration, he had widespread support befitting such a high office and was eventually acclaimed to have won the presidential election in 1993, the results of which were however annulled by then military president, Ibrahim Babangida.

For want of a better example, I hereby share some obcervations I made recently. They relate to a colleague who contested the deanship election in our faculty. A very brilliant professor with enviable academic achievements and international connections, she was however relatively unknown, especially among younger colleagues due to her frequent overseas and local travels. She was also unpopular among some older colleagues, especially in her own department. She had done some good quite alright but it was farther afield and didn’t quite count in the faculty as a constituency.

Joining the race very late, she worked tirelessly to connect with the academic staff of the faculty and provide mentorship opportunities in the form of interactive sessions with prominent guest lecturers for those who would attend. Unfortunately, it was too little too late because her opponents, though not with intimidating foreign credentials like hers, were eminent professors as well. But most importantly, they were well known and had personal connections with and positive impact on many staff over a long period speaking for them.

Expectedly, one of her rivals won the position. I believe if she had hung around and built relationships with members of faculty for a year or more, she could have won. But as things were, she didn’t stand a chance. (I have not shared this story to denigrate the lady involved. She is my friend and I personally know her to be a wonderful Christian and very kind but she wasn’t widely known in the faculty before she ran for office.)

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I’m not suggesting that we should tie all our good deeds to an expectation of future return from the recipients. That is not the Christian thing to do. The Bible clearly teaches that we should “do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return” – Luke 6:35 (ESV). What I’m recommending is that we do good everyday, that we add value wherever we are, that we build lives and be a blessing continually. This will enrich our bank of goodwill and if ever the occasion demands, we won’t need to race against time to fill it up. Note that I’m talking to myself as much as to others on this.

And whatever the case, we should not rest our confidence on that bank no matter how rich it is because ultimately it is God who determines what we get in life, not necessarily those we have blessed. Let him guide your aspirations and pursuits and He will prepare you to be ready to claim them when the right time comes.

Scripture references:

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” – Luke 6:35

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” – Proverbs 3:27

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:9-10

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” – Hebrews 6:10

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The scriptures in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible except where otherwise stated.
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47 comments

  • Aniekan

    Beautiful piece, very well-written as always, and full of rich, godly counsel.

  • Gloria Ugwuoke

    Racing against time is what leads to doing anything possible to gain favours…as in the case of politicians currently. This applies to everyone, as you rightly said. Good job????❤

  • Uche

    A good piece and a reminder to everyone. I love what you said here and I quote , “And whatever the case, we should not rest our confidence on that bank no matter how rich it is because ultimately it is God who determines what we get in life, not necessarily those we have blessed. Let him guide your aspirations and pursuits and He will prepare you to be ready to claim them when the right time comes.”. I tell whoever cares to hear,that what ever you are doing for anyone , do it as unto the Lord,expecting nothing in return, that way you will never weep for disappointment. Knowing that at the appointed time, your reward will never pass you by. Its a simple law of sowing and reaping. More grace big Sis.

    • Edith Ohaja

      So correct, my dear. More grace to you too in Jesus’ name.

      • Ejiofor Emmanuel

        Thank you ma for this wisdom shared. Be good and kind to everyone, not only your friends. God loves a cheerful giver. One must also be careful not to dwell on the bank of good, it is only God that determines how far we go in life

  • Victor Nzubechi Abundance

    Nice piece ma… No matter what we have, God determines all.

  • Blessing Udeobasi

    Just as we should pray without season, we should also do good to others without season.
    A little act of kindness can open several doors which we may not even know exists.
    Like the saying goes “do good to the people you see on your way up, because you will also see them on your way down ” such is life.
    Thank you MA for this wonderful piece.

    • Edith Ohaja

      True, we should do good even though we pray we keep going up, not down. You are favoured, my dear, in Jesus’ name.

  • Oma

    Doing good should be our daily life routine.
    And we should also not dwell on the bank of our good will because is only God that weighs us …

  • Kat

    Some people’s motivation for giving is that they will also receive but I personally think that’s a terrible mindset. The happiness that comes from seeing the joy on people’s face when you do something for them should be enough reason to do good everytime and not just for selfish reasons. We should try our best to render assistance to anyone who needs it because a day will come when they might be of help to us but that shouldn’t be our sole motivation. In this life, it’s do as you will be done by. Thank you ma’am

  • Eze chinyere

    Indeed we should do good and expect nothing in return. Let us focus on impacting positively on people around us, not just because we want something in return but because it is right and what we should do.

  • egbo Rita Somtochukwu

    It is good to be a giver than the receiver, we should give always and shouldn’t expect anything in return. God never forsake his own, even the little good one does will surely come back to him or her unexpectedly. Never wait till you need a favor from a person before you start doing good to the person, be generous and kind at all time.

  • Blessing Udeobasi

    I think the habit of being nice and good to people is natural and comes from within. it is sad to know that most people especially politicians try to fake it just to achieve one purpose or another, but in the end, the real nature of someone will surely be known.

  • Onwusonye promise

    Goodwill is a good virtue we should all try to emulate, it opens doors and wakes way where there is no way.
    Whatsoever a man sows, that he shall reap. Sow good and you shall reap good: sow evil and evil you shall reap.

  • Amana Sharon Umola

    There is Joy in goodness i.e. being good to people. There is this fulfillment when you are able to put smile on someone’s face. Thank you for this amazing post ma…

  • Nnamani Oluoma Esther

    We shouldn’t do things just to get appreciation. Rather, we should do them because it is from our heart and it is what God would want from us. Personal experience has taught me that God rewards all good deeds a million times than man does. We should have a very big heart and spread goodness around us wherever we go.

  • Emmanuel chibuike

    From the story, it is clear to note that the lady wanted to build a relationship with the staff because of the position she wants, but it shouldn’t be so. All the while she traveled far and near, she didn’t remember them not all of suddenly they became a never do without.
    Most times in life people fail to understand that no man is an island, ever human is naturally desired to be dependent. Aristotle said that no human being can leave without others unless he is a beasts or a God. Since man cannot be God, we should act good towards our fellows to make the world a better place. The way we treat nature would definitely bound back to us because we are part of nature
    For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.- Galatians 5:14, if you love your neighbour as yourself you would care and ask after the person’s welfare because you take care of your own self

  • Afiadigwe Nnedinso Rita

    We should learn to live examplary Life to those we think are not doing the right thing.
    And we should also try to advise and encourage others not because we are expecting something from them. It is only God who sees in secret that can reward us.

  • Sunday, Ezekwesiri Daniel

    He that haveth a good heart and doeth good to others without expecting another favour in return has a rich bank of goodwill. We should always help others at will and by doing this, we put smile on other people’s face. Keep being fruitful ma.

  • Onu Tochukwu

    Nice work ma. This reminds me of the song “what so ever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” We should try to weigh our Goodwill but just keep on doing good like it’s our daily routine.

  • Chinenye Lucy

    This is a very nice write-up, personally, one of my favorites. I believe this article boils down to you get what you give. I am a firm believer doing to other what you want to be done unto you. I also believe in meeting new people and making a lot of friends and acquaintances is the only way to help each other and understand one another.

  • Annabelle Orji

    Doing good means putting goodness into circulation and like money it always comes back, not that expecting it back should be a criteria for good will. When we do good to our fellow human beings we are being Christlike in our endeavors.
    Nice write up ma

  • Otti Augusta

    It is good to be good. Doing good to others without expectations creates room for God’s blessings.
    No matter how good we are, we shouldn’t get hypocritical about it.

  • Adonu Ifeanyichukwu B

    I love the title of this article. In our world today, evil begets evil while good begets good. Therefore, how good we are towards others determine the measure of Goodwill we receive in return. Make reaching out and building cordial relationship with people a habit so that when need be, we may not be under pressure to build something of a lifetime within a limited time. People don’t act based on sentiment anymore rather, they act based on their personal encounter or experience with you thus, you need to invest in your bank of Goodwill. However, we shouldn’t do good with the intention of receiving it back Cheers.

  • Bessong Faith Ada

    Thank you so much ma for not just this write up but for the good you have been doing with it. I was marvelled when I noticed two student from different department arguing about your blog, how interesting and inspirational your stories are. I said to myself,people afar are taping from this blessing but here we are closer to the write yet we can boost of reading any of her stories. The way you treat topics knowing fully the society we are in is recommendable thanks a lot.

  • Otinga ifunanya Ruth

    Thank you ma for this wonderful piece…it is indeed also very important to build good relationship with others you never can tell how your blessings would come!

  • Doing good can save lives. We should endeavor to constantly do good to people around us especially as Christians. We should do good without expecting material reward our reward may come physically while some will come in eternity. Thank you ma, for this inspirational piece.

  • Oshana Oyaku Endurance

    Most people only notice the importance of others when they need their help, and this is very bad. It is advisable that we create a good relationship with people around us because it will go a long way in helping us if need be.

  • Agbo Jude Nwaneka

    Even in today’s life it keeps repeating itself just as politicians keep doing good only for an end, using people as a means, everybody ought to do good really, it does no bad to be good. I’m touched.

  • Eze chikadibia Joan

    Wherever we find nd ourselves, we should make positive impact not basically for return. As Christ said, we should expect nothing in return. We are urged by this wonderful write-up that we should help or reach out to people wholeheartedly without expectations.

  • Abonyi Chisom E

    Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me. How do we relate with our neighbours. How do our neighbours perceive us? I believe our banks of goodwill will grow richer if we make positive impact on the people around us. Besides, God has blessed us for us to bless those around us. We should invest in this bank of goodwill.

  • iheanyi ugochi Elizabeth

    Thank you so much for this reminder. No matter how good we are if we do not have a reputable relationship with people we can’t be fulfilled, just as we do not get tired of banking our valuable we should not get tired of doing good.

  • Favour Nnaemeka

    Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. As you have rightly said, we shouldn’t do things in exchange for some future reward but we should also thrive to do things accordingly and on time. That is the right way.

  • How good is the bank of our goodwill?, is a personal question that demands an impulse of action with our Christian life. Goodwill is a part of our service to humanity enriching out to the less privileges and also our goodwill could be doing the right thing without an external caution. We should serve as a pillar to our society. Reaching out and caring with a heart full of cheerful desire. We should be the altruist of each corner we find ourself.

  • Kalu Divine Ogechi

    This piece is actually a food for thought, we shouldn’t just do good for the things we hope to achieve in return but for humanity and we do not know when that good will be rewarded.thanks ma for this piece.

  • Agbodike Ogochukwu Maryclaret

    The amount of goodwill we do in life is like a ticket to heaven. God expects us to do good without any expectations.

  • Ojimadu kingsley

    As a christian our job on earth is to expand the gospel, and there is no better way to do that without creating an impact on the life of others. As we love our neighbors as we love ourselfs will create a better relationship with others and of God.

  • Ozukwe mirian chisom

    Doing good in this world is all that matters and it should be our daily routine. We shouldn’t dwell on our bank of goodwill because no matter what, God is the one who weighs us.

  • Onah Chiamaka

    This is a good reminder that we should practice what we preach. As Christians the Bible is a bank of goodness and if what we preach is from the Bible then us ourselves should also be banks of goodness. We should also learn to participate and give without expecting returns

  • Idam Joy Ogwu

    There is a song that we sing which is that we will be remembered by what we have done, men are always remembered in future for what they did in the past, being good and kind pays off a great deal, we ought to do good because that is our personality, live for others if you want them to live for you.

  • Richards Orighomisan

    The good deeds we do add value to our lives each passing day without us noticing, so if you have been good, keep up the good work and if you haven’t, today is not too late to start.
    Nice piece, ma.

  • Ejiofor Emmanuel

    Be good to people around you and everyone at large because you don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Not that you should give expecting return.

  • Anabude Oluchi m.

    Exactly ma..because it pays to have a large heart and it does not matter if the person deserves it or not due to our past experience with such individual but we should not get tired in being a blessing to the lives of other people no matter how little we can render our assistance…thank you for this wonderful post!

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