When you see a poor woman in the market with a baby at her back, you lower your car window and ask her, using a harsh, military-style command voice:
What is the price of those plantains and onions?
GHS 10 for four fingers of plantain and GHS 20 for a pack of onions,” the impoverished vendor graciously responds.
You proudly insist that the pack of onions and the four fingers of plantains be paid GHS 10 and GHS 5, respectively, or you will go.
“Take them at the price you want,” the impoverished seller responds, resigning to fate. Even if I didn’t make any sales today, at least I had dinner ready.”
Despite her loss, she proceeds to purchase a plastic bag so that you can package the two goods you recently purchased.
You tell her to hurry up, or you could decide to alter your mind. She apologises, smiles, hands you the goods, and gives you a blessing for coming to her.
You practically threw the money at her before driving off and leaving a cloud of smoke and dust that both she and the infant found uncomfortable. Coughing, she is holding her meagre amount of cash. She is powerless because of her poverty.
Now that you’ve reached the five-star restaurant where you are meeting up with friends, you ask them to place their own orders for food and beverages.
The amount of food remaining from their pricey meal order exceeds what they have consumed.
You pay the full GHS 2,500 cost without haggling, and you also tip the waiter GHS 100 to show your appreciation for a great lunch that you only consumed half of.
Although this situation may appear regular to you, it is cruel.
👇 THIS IS THE POINT
Why do we constantly exhibit our ability to negotiate when we make purchases from the underprivileged?
Why does purchasing from the impoverished make us feel haughty?
Why do we get stingy when we purchase from the weak?
Why do we give generously to people who are not really in need of it?
When we buy from the wealthy, who see our money as just change, why do we become courteous?
Why do we direct our finances towards a money market?
Please intentionally purchase basic products at exorbitant prices from the impoverished.
Pay a little more for the goods you purchase from impoverished ladies occasionally; you are merely doing them a small favour.
Whenever feasible, please purchase goods from nearby marketplaces.
Please, everyone reading this, just buy from them and if possible give them a little extra whenever you see them at the market, on the street, in a taxi park, at a bus stop, or in traffic!
Avoid haggling. They need the money to feed their kids at home and cover their expenses for sometimes using public toilets, not to buy fancy clothes, homes, or cars.
Let us assist those who are less fortunate.
Proverbs 22:9 (NIV): “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
This scripture highlights that those who are generous and share their resources with the poor will be blessed themselves. Love is a VERB. Thanks for reading. May God grant us the grace to walk in the fear of God.
