OverGiving

Overgiving? Is there something like that?

Many years ago I got a job out of town and had to move in with a family. I was very comfortable and at home. One month, I ran out of money and had to borrow from my aunt. She obliged and in a matter of days, I paid back. Good? Maybe, maybe not.

The next month, I ran out of money again. I borrowed from her and paid it back. Then the next month, and the next and the next. When I went to borrow again, she gave me the money and told me to sit down for a chat.

She pointed out that I was quite well paid and had no liabilities. Why would my money not be enough? Hmm. I promised to find the culprit taking my money.

I got a pocket diary and began to record my expenses on a daily basis. By the end of one month, I had found the culprit: I was giving to almost everyone that asked! Is that not supposed to be a good thing? Yes, if it is sustainable. But if I have to borrow money to complete each month, I would never be able to grow my capacity.

Reminds me of the Aeronautic Engineer who returned to Nigeria from Poland to give back to society as a lecturer. He said that he was by the road one day and someone came to beg him for money. He obliged. Then one by one others came, and he kept giving. Someone else came and advised him, “If you don’t know when to stop, you will soon be like them.”

How did I come out of my situation? I set a budget for giving. If I can afford 20,000 a month, I track that. Once it is exhausted, any other request would have to be taken next month. I”ve been fine since then.

You should have got your copy of my book In The Long Run. If not, order your copy on Konga or Amazon. You could read a few chapters for free through the Amazon link.

.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay