PAY BACK NOW

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Debt kills trust and reputation fast. Do all you can to avoid it. If you are involved in a financial transaction with someone, especially when there is an agreement, whether verbal or written, do well to play your part as agreed.

If you buy something from somebody on credit, try as much as you can to pay back. I know some people seem to have a special grace for owing, but they forget that it will definitely affect their reputation in the long run and will breed lack of trust in the future.

Earlier this week, I witnessed something pathetic, but after hearing the full story, I could not say a word. I visited a pharmacy to get some drugs and met a man pleading with the pharmacist to give him some drugs with a promise to pay back when he receives his salary. The pharmacist was very angry and refused. The man left, and I became curious to know why the pharmacist was that strict. She explained that the man owed her about five thousand naira. He kept coming to get drugs and some food items from her provision store and kept promising to pay back when he was paid. However, whenever he received his salary, he would disappear and only return when he had spent all the money. Even when she called, he would keep telling her not to worry and that he would come around to clear the debt, but he never did. He would return only when he was out of cash and come up with new excuses. On hearing this, I no longer felt pity for the man.

Many of us do the same thing, even in our friend's business. We think we are supporting or patronizing our friends, but we keep getting things from them without paying. Brother, sister, you are not supporting the business; you are pulling it down. Please change.

A similar incident happened to a neighbor of mine who sold some items to his very close friend. The friend refused to pay as agreed. Tell me, if you were in my neighbor's shoes, would you assist or trust such a friend again? Your response is as good as mine.

About three years ago, a friend of mine, a lady, had an issue and came to me for financial help. I was not financially buoyant at the time, so I could not help. She pleaded with me to contact any of my friends who could help, promising to pay back in a week. Out of pity, I contacted a male friend of mine, explained the situation to him, and he agreed to help. I even gave the lady his number so that she could pay back directly to him after a week.

Days became weeks, and weeks became months. After many calls, she decided to pay half of the money and promised to balance up later. Did she? No, she did not. I had to plead with my friend and offer to balance the money on her behalf just to clear my name, since I was the one who linked them. My friend, being an understanding person, told me not to worry and said that it is life.

Now tell me, if you were in my shoes and that same lady came back to request help again, even at a critical point, would you help her? Your response is as good as mine.

Dear friends, let us learn to stick to our words. Pay back if you are owing and save your reputation. Even the Bible says we should owe no man anything except love.