Avarice X Contentment

“Aììní àmójúkúrò lóún mú erù wèrè pò” – Avarice makes the sack of a madman get heavier.

Yoruba language, its intricacies, beauties, features, insights and aesthetics value, makes it an ocean that never runs dry of virtues and didacticism. Each generation finds her own meanings and ways of relating with languages generally, and today, let’s take a look at the above Yoruba adage. 

This adage has been defined in various ways, let's take a look from another perspective.

Most times we hold on to things, for different reasons and circumstances that surround how we acquired them. But, do some of these things worth it? Should they be kept in our boxes, wardrobes, garage, and stores for years without usage and end up useless? Or be given out to people who need them, both less privileged and more privileged.

We all feel the need to have more, this drives us to acquisition of more things, to the neglect of those we have before and to the act of ungratefulness for them. It is just natural, but like other natural tendencies of man, they have their extremities which if not checked, can ruin a human. And most importantly, can derive a human of peace.

Way out: 

The realization of the truth that God is the provider of all we have out of his goodness, brings alive the mindset to share, since we are not the main source. So, be grateful for all you have, strive to be better and be generous amidst all these.

Be given to giving out to humanity. You don’t have to break a bank to do this neither do you have to stock up your barns like the foolish farmer in the scriptures. No matter how poor you may think you are, you have something another person lacks – ideas, knowledge, possession (this applies more to those under you) and all.

Don’t be like the mad people on the street who keep piling all manner of stuffs up. Share them in proportion to your willingness and strength.

What happens when we die? All we refuse to let others benefit from will be shared, even to strangers. 

So, in all your getting, get a heart of charity and love.

Salaam.

Olúkorédé Akarakìrì