BUYER BEWARE - OR NOT?

Jesus Driving Out the Money Lenders From the Church

Quentin Massys

Even though I have been swindled, lied to, cheated and defrauded many times in my life, I cannot seem to effectively shield myself from being put on the losing end of nearly every business relationship. I should be a bitter and suspicious old lady, but instead I am still poised to give people the benefit of the doubt and to be trusting until someone gives me reason to be otherwise. I have tried to change this about myself, with no success, so far.

The Eye of the Needle Gate in Jerusalem

"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of

a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." 

~ Mark 10:25 ~

Those with the power (the money) in any situation are always the winners here on earth. I say this from the vantage point of a disabled, disadvantaged person for whom the arc of civilization bends toward barbarism, (apologies to dear Martin Luther King Jr. for bastardizing his beautiful quote.)

This week, I was defrauded by a furniture salesman and, after being bamboozled, I did some deeper digging on the internet and found something very interesting. The 'bad' reviews on Google, Yelp and other sites were primarily written by people who'd experienced the very thing I had! They were low income people who responded to the promise of easy financing, only to be switched to a 100% interest rate lease instead!

The "good" reviews for that outfit were mostly written by people who paid cash.

Isn't that always the way? If your life circumstances are good and you have some money to spend, merchants will fall all over themselves to serve you. If you're a disabled old lady on low income, and can least afford high priced items, disreputable merchants will take advantage of your disabilities and the needs that result from them and will try to make EXTRA money off of your misery. It really IS reprehensible.

Bactrian Camels in the Snow

The only thing that mollifies me somewhat is knowing that I am in good company. Many of the saints were not suspicious enough of other people to be truly adept at business. In fact, yesterday's saint of the day, Gregory of Nyssa, was said to be "easy-going, tactless, and inefficient in monetary matters" and he was cheated and deceived to the point that Demosthenes accused him of stealing church property and had him imprisoned! Somehow, the innocent party in business is usually the one who loses his shirt, so to speak.

Saint Gregory of Nyssa

Granted, Saint Gregory was not a saint because he was lousy at business, but sometimes the spiritual inclination of a soul will certainly present itself in this manner.

I am also reminded of Saint Therese of Lisieux, who found joy in thinking well of others.

"Nothing is sweeter than to think well of others."

~ Saint Therese of Lisieux ~

I have also noticed that suspicious attitudes toward other persons are very often lessened during those times when I am praying the most, such as now, during Lent, when the soul hovers more closely to the Lord through his suffering. Thus, there is something about my prayer life that is not serving me well in my negotiations through the day-to-day logistics of life on this planet.

It is not clear to me what I am supposed to glean from this state of affairs. Do I deliberately develop a more calculating and suspicious world view?

Or, do I do the more challenging thing? Do I stop trying to address the needs of my broken down old body, reduce my possessions (as recommended by our Lord) and follow Him without sleep or comforts for the pain-wracked old carcass which I blame for my inability to devote myself more forcefully to spiritual disciplines?

When I figure it out, I will let you know.

In the meantime, God bless us all.

Silver Rose Parnell