THE BLESSED CHILD

12 year-old Ola was coming from the kitchen when he overheard his father speaking on the phone. His father, who was oblivious of his coming, uttered, "Mr. Akindele, what you need to do is very simple. It's nothing complex, just add two zeros to the figure, and it would become 5,000,000 naira. I assure you that the company isn't going to discover the fraud. Don't you need money, Mr. Akindele? Have you paid all your children's school fees? You lamented about your inability to complete the payment. This is a huge opportunity for you to get the money. Don't miss it!" Ola's father was mute for a minute listening to Mr. Akindele on the phone. He then said, "Hen hen! Now, you're talking. By Friday, we would get the money, and it would be shared equally. Don't be perturbed. It's a sealed deal already. Thank you, Mr. Akindele. My regards to your family." Ola's father ended the phone call.

Ola, having heard his father's phone conversation was utterly disappointed. He knew his father had just convinced Mr. Akindele, his company's accountant, to indulge in pen thievery. In pensive mood, he pondered, "Why would my Dad and his colleague attempt to defraud their company. This isn't fair, and unlike a Christian. My school Chairman constantly preaches to us to shun corruption, and flee from sin. I think it's imperative that I preach to my father just as the Chairman preaches to us in the school every Monday morning." Ola concluded in his mind.

After showing initial reluctance, he finally mustered courage and approached his father who was engrossed in a movie. He said, "Dad, I want to speak to you sir, and it may enrage you. Please, don't be annoyed with me. Please, Dad!", "Go on, son; I won't," his father assured him. "My Chairman always admonishes us not to take what isn't given to us. He tells us to flee from all forms of sins, saying sin is an abomination to God", Ola divulged.

The shock in Ola's father's countenance was so visible that even the blind could see it. Ola went further, "Proverbs 21:16 says, "A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour, and a deadly snare". Also, Proverbs 13:11 says, "Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow". Finally, Galatians 6:8 says, "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the spirit will from the spirit reap eternal life." Dad, eternal life should be our ultimate goal, and not money or other material things.

At this juncture, the handwriting on the wall was lucid for Ola's father to see. He thought, "Wow! I must desist from my shady practices. It's high time I repented from my fraudulent ways. How blessed I'm to have a son who could preach holiness". He grinned with great pride as he gazed at his son. With glaring joy, he asked him to move closer and he embraced him tightly.