Wednesday 23 October 2013

You Can’t Take It With You, But You Can Send It On Ahead



On September 13, 2012 I published an article titled “Walking Charity”. It was a recount on a charity programme themed 'Photo Power' which my friends and I had put together for a few teenagers from an orphanage in Abuja. I concluded the write-up with these words:

“It was a worthwhile programme. And i engender everyone who reads this blog to know that it is our duty to give back to the community. Support the cause of charity in any way you can, be it music, free Healthcare delivery, environmental sanitation or donating your resources into any number of causes. Do the Walk, not just the Talk”.

I wonder how many people ever got round to giving something back to the society, especially to people who could never repay you.

This brings to mind Randy Alcorn’s Thesis “The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret Of Joyful Giving” which the Reverend at my church has been shedding a lot of light on for a couple of weeks now.

Alcorn's book made me understand that when God blesses us with intellect and resources (- money and time), he does not expect us to sit on it and become materialistic. His purpose for blessing us is so we can in turn be a blessing to others. 

Remember that when we die, we cannot take our worldly possessions with us to heaven. Just as the Hymnal song croons

Only the truth that in life we have spoken,
Only the seed that on earth we have sown;
These shall pass onward when we are forgotten,
Fruits of the harvest and what we have done
.”


Therefore, Alcorn advises that bearing this in mind, we can send our love on ahead by blessing the lives of people while yet we live.


A few days ago I met a young Nigerian Lawyer who has impressed greatly on me. He runs The Emmanuel Igoniwari Foundation which is a Non-Governmental organisation formerly established in 2012 by Mr David Azibalua igoniwari. 
His foundation is aimed at blessing and transforming mankind for a better tomorrow with special attention to child development. This, he said was an inspiration from God Almighty to reach out and encourage millions of people, with a passion to serve, starting with our immediate environment. The purpose for his organization he shared, includes their commitment to meeting needs through a wide range of humanitarian effort, conducting health and educational programmes, and also supporting children with special needs and disability. As well as Counseling them on emotional and spiritual issues. Also,  particularly, the organization leads campaigns on autism.


Emmanuel shared with me the values of his organization which included; their dedication to Blessing Mankind, Touching lives, and Showing love as their ultimate goal. He says their mission is committed to reaching out by transforming lives physically and mentally. Striving to make a difference by offering solutions and also translating God’s love into actions that manifest kindness and compassion to improve lives.

After a brief discussion with this selfless young man, I knew I had to share his story with everyone. 
Having compassion for the less privilege is not enough, praying for them is not enough. We must as a matter of fact reach out a helping hand to try to change their circumstances. 

We should stop giving excuses for why we aren’t involved in charity. Many of us claim it is the nature of our jobs which keeps us too busy to do so. Well, if you cannot give your time, then give your resources!
For As surely as the compass needle follows north, your heart will follow your treasure. Money leads; hearts follow.

In Alcorn’s words “Remember, Giving is the only antidote to materialism. And God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving”.
If you are around Abuja come Saturday October 26, 2013, keep a date with this foundation and join them for a seminar on Dyslexia at 10b Owena Street, Off Yedseram Street Maitama, Abuja.

 
For information on the activities of this foundation, read more on http://www.emmanueligoniwarifoundation.org

If you have any stories of a good cause that you are supporting and want to share, please contact me on jtjemimah98@yahoo.com