by jam 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Their story, the check did not come in the mail, an
unexpectant bill arrive. They hit you up for A loan,
wait for A while and think you have forgotten about
the last loan. When they visit, you hold your breath
because you know it,s coming, some hard luck story.
They have hit up everyone in the family at one time
and make no effort to repay.
Everyone? Weird and sort of coincidental that almost everyone or everyone has someone close that is almost always needy.
So count me in, I have a family member that matches the OP. (original post)
Very harsh circumstances placed me in that role. I felt such shame despite the fact that I had no control. Some people truly have bad luck. Christopher Reeve and his wife were an example. She sticks by his side through every obstacle. He dies. Perhaps now she can have some peace and closure, rebuild her life. A few months later she is told she has lung cancer. Their son has to grow up with friends. I would rather lose some money than so no to someone in true distress.
My father died with three young children. Our mom had trouble making ends meet. She wanted us to be educated and see the world. Family members with no children and no serious illness had better resources.
Bill Cosby and other celebrities said you don't loan people money with the expectation of ever seeing it again. I've loaned money to friends who did not pay me back yet they could purchase CDs, books, go on trips. They had no shame. Nothing was hidden from view.
That family member used to be me. Amazing how my "luck" changed when I quit drinking.
Jesus said, You will always have the poor among you.
This is not always from the fact that they have little income.
It is often that they cannot manage money. I know of many couples who are our peers in congregations through the years who had higher incomes, but you would not know it today. They dined out at the best places. They had new cars and trucks (often). They had new furniture frequently. They had new clothes for every day of the Cir Assm or Dist Conv. They boozed a lot (many JWs do). They lived from hand to mouth -- week to week. They never saved a freaking dime. Guess they did not want to throw their money in the streets. The self employed window-washers are still working. Only the ones that got lucky and landed a job that included a good pension program, have anything in the way of retirement "savings". They were never going to get to the age where they would have to worry about retiring in this system of things.
