We live in a largely capitalist world, with it's concomitant emphasis or overemphasis on excessive gain and profit, which brings about a culture of consumerism and exploitation. Under such a regime, the major question is what is it in for me? And not what do I have to offer? That is the cause of the horror that Nigeria has become -- a country that is largely viewed as a cake to which everyone comes with a knife to yank off a chunk.
Another cycle of general elections looms, and some of the candidates (and I feel terribly ashamed to call them that in this 21st century, and at a time when the many other African countries have woken up before the giant) are brazenly telling us that they have nothing to offer, just that they believe it is their turn to milk Nigeria, either because they feel they have paid their dues to their gangs or they have some secret pact among themselves to take their turn at some point. These are persons who have convinced us beyond any reasonable doubts that they have nothing to offer, but all to take, hence they are ready to fight dirty, and are indeed fighting dirty (of course they are actually very dirty characters, competing openly for who is more dirty or worse, in the same cycle where one is asking for a small stain to step aside. I can't even believe we're still having a conversation about this). Thankfully, many Nigerians know that "This is our Chance", that "tide in the affairs of men" that if missed, all our voyage will come to naught.
It happens also in marriage, priesthood and other spheres of life; they are those who go into marriage, priesthood, careers, business and services, without considering what they have to offer but only what they wish to gain from what the other or system is offering. They feel so entitled that even while having nothing to offer themselves, they exact so much from others. We have seen this happen often in many spheres of life even on blurt. This is an anomaly that we have enculturised. We need to unlearn that and relearn to always go into any engagement or relationship with something to offer. Priests, couples, politicians, workers, business people, and service providers, and very importantly, all Christians should have the mentality of something to offer to God and to humanity and not always something to receive from God and from others.
Leaning on the immortal words of JFK (here paraphrased), think not what God, or anyone or system will do for you, think what you will do for God, for others and for every system you are a part of. As a rule, always have something to offer and then go ahead and offer it selflessly.
Peace be with you!
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