After observing the clear demonstration of his psychopathology, I mentally formulated a Treatment Plan for the caretaker’s eldest son. I commenced to implement this plan as providence gave me the opportunity. A few days after his emotional breakdown at my back gate, I struck up a conversation with my young neighbor. I asked him, “Did you give me any money to keep for you, and did you arrange with me to refund you that full amount on Christmas day?” His reply was, “No, Mr. James.” “So why are you coming to my gate and demanding that I give you a Christmas present,” I asked him. He had no answer. I made no further comment at the time. I merely wanted him to see the folly and madness of his pursuits. Three months afterward, he came to me and said, “Mr. James, it’s my birthday.” “I will give you a birthday gift,” was my reply. However, I need something from you in return. There are two exposed pipes beneath the water tower. I want you to cover them with sand, and afterward, I will give you a gift for your birthday. It took him several days to complete that assignment, and afterward, I presented him with a bottle of soda and a pack of crackers.
“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men.” Proverbs 22:29 (NKJV).
Six weeks ago, my neighbor’s eldest son told me it was his birthday again. I told him, “As you already know, a large garbage container is beside the gate; I want you to wait until the garbage truck empties it. Afterward, I want you to wash it out. When you are done, let me know, and I will pay you twenty Cedis.” Although he agreed to my proposal, the assignment was never executed, and he received no money from me. He wanted to continue being a toddler at 13, enjoying unlimited benefits without shouldering any responsibilities. I was trying to nip that trait in the bud and teach him that we receive by giving in life.
The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” Proverbs 22:13 (NKJV)
In January, it was extremely hot in The Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The sun would beat down on my head mercilessly. I purchased two hats in Berekum to relieve myself from the relentless heat. When I returned to the property, I met the caretaker’s son sitting on the stairs leading to their apartment upstairs. He was thrown into a paroxysm of instant, uncontrollable need when he saw my hat. “Mr. James, I love your hat,” he observed. “It looks very nice; I want you to get me one.” I wasn’t surprised in the least by his behavior. In fact, I had expected it. I merely ignored him and continued on my way to my apartment. When he saw me wearing my new hat again the following day, he repeated his request. But on this occasion, I merely remarked, “That’s very interesting.” This teenager had a very serious problem. He had entered puberty believing that the world owed him special treatment, and he continually did everything in his power to maximize such a potential. His mind, however, urgently needed to be disabused of that delusion. That’s all I was trying to do to salvage any sense of responsibility lying dormant in his character and save him from future disaster.
“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” Proverbs 13: 4 (NKJV)
His parents didn’t do much to help him avoid such pitfalls either. When his sister was here, I would periodically give her Cold Relief medication whenever she caught the flu. After a while, the mother came to me to obtain that remedy whenever she came down with a cold. Occasionally, she would even ask me to purchase her a bottle of soda in Berekum. I always obliged her. Primarily because I didn’t want to engender any negative feelings. What I observed over some time, though, was that they continually expected me to take care of them. A form of subtle exploitation and abuse. No wonder their eldest son was so adept at begging. He had been taught by professionals. Three months ago, when I was about to leave for Techiman to renew my Ghana Card. The younger daughter informed me that her father needed to speak with me. I went over to where he was standing. He told me a long story about the landlord instructing him to leave the farm to visit this property. Then he revealed that he had no money and needed me to help him with the fare to return to the Cocoa plantation. I explained that since I had lost my money card, I could not provide financial aid to anyone now.
“He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.” Proverbs 11:15 (NKJV)
One of the great injunctions of life is to do good and be kind to those less fortunate. Some less fortunate people, however, have perfected the practice of preying on the compassion and magnanimity of their neighbors. They do this shamelessly, intending only to give themselves an advantage by exploiting people who are psychologically vulnerable because of their naivete. The Master encountered many of these people during His earthly ministry.
when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” John 6: 24-27 (NKJV)
These users and abusers desired to employ Jesus to enjoy the wonderful benefits of the kingdom. But at the same time, they stoutly resisted any effort on the part of the Saviour to get them to embrace the spiritual values that would facilitate the accomplishment of their desires. They didn’t know what was in their own best interest.
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