Business Post Contributor
By Nneka Okumazie
There is the natural assumption that the best gift is something to buy, which in some situations could be appropriate. But overall, the best gift is something that cannot be seen – as given or that cannot be bought.
Sincerity is better than the best of gold. Trust, genuine trust, is better than all of silver. There is the desire to give something and be seen, but the consideration that money from a source of horror could have been used to get the gift makes it less meaningful.
This year, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, will clock 80 and there have been questions on what gifts he should get.
There are very few things in the world that money obtained illegally cannot buy. Most of the things that people who do honest work can get with money, those who don’t, can also get, saying that the value placed on things should diminish.
There are societies in the world that lack basic integrity. People are fine until it comes to money. Money is more important than any relationship, bearable for any level of harm, risk or evil. In such places, true integrity is really more valuable.
There are places in the world where people lack purpose – the things they mostly do there cannot advance their society. People dedicated to a high purpose of work are more valuable than money.
The most valuable doings aren’t often in situations to be seen, rewarded or recognized. But they become important to self, to others and to society. Things of this sort are what some others would be proud of when they hear that someone did.
Pursuing gifts to buy are good, gifting quality character – courageously – in private and often is the best.
[Psalm 37:37, Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.]
