Recently, hubby and I had just started a construction project when an artisan, a painter, told us that his very good friend was into POP fabrication and that he was very good so we should please patronise him.
I told the man that we already had a POP person but this man begged and said his friend was a married man who was finding it hard to feed his family due to a challenge.
Anyway, when the project got to the POP stage, this man called again to make a case for his friend.
When I got tired of his incessant pleas, I called his friend and asked him to bring his quote.
His quote was reasonable so he got the job.
Now, guess what….
He did a very good job but when he was done, he said something that shocked me.
“I am a painter too. I do painting as well.”, he said.
He showed us pictures of his previous painting jobs.
“My friend, Akeem is a painter but I am a better painter. He does not know some new methods. I know them. If you hire me to do the painting, you will get a better value for your money. Tell me whatever Akeem quotes for the job and I will go lower. I just want you to see what I can do. A trial will convince you. I will…..”, he went on.
My husband did not let him land before he asked him to keep quiet.
“Who introduced you to us? Is it not Akeem? My wife wanted someone else to do the job but Akeem was the one always calling to tell us about you. It’s because of Akeem that you got this job. You’ve made money so let Akeem make the money from painting. I can’t believe you want us to give you the painting job meant for him. Why are some human beings like this. Why?”, hubby queried.
Then the guy started telling us how things were so tough for him, how he needed the money, etc.
*
It is not every ‘friend’ that you should introduce to your clients.
It is not every ‘friend’ who deserves to know so much about you.
It is not every ‘friend’ who wants your prosperity.
Some ‘friends’ even get upset just because you have clients who pay you well.
Some ‘friends’ get mentally disturbed when things are going well for you.
Some ‘friends’ hate the fact that you are in a position to help them.
No matter what you do for ‘friends’ like this, it will not stop the hatred and resentment they nurse in their hearts against you.
Thinking that helping a person is proof that they will want what is best for you is rooted in fantasy.
Human beings are complex.
The Yorubas will say that ‘inu jin’.
Don’t ever assume that the way you feel about a person is exactly how the person feels about you.
Be very careful.
Don’t, in a bid to help anybody, destroy your own source of livelihood.
This man said he would offer a lower price than his friend just because he wanted his job.
All you see about people is not all there is to them.
Nothing, including human hearts, wishes, intentions, etc is hidden from God.
That’s why it’s key to pray about your relationships.
May the Lord keep protecting us from the antics and wishes of enemies disguised as friends.
May the Lord expose all the fake friends in your life who are planning to steal your clients or who secretly resent you.
God have mercy