Cruel people let sinful nature control them
Q: A few weeks ago, a fast-talking salesman got my elderly mother-in-law to sign an expensive contract for something she doesn't need and can't afford, and certainly will never use. Why are some people so cruel, taking advantage of someone like this? -Mrs. A. McL.
It's a shame that her mother-in-law was taken advantage of. Sadly, salesmen preying on the elderly isa tactic that seems to be getting more and more popular. Personally, I have a rule not to buy anything from people that approach me, either over the phone or in person. But some in the older generations remember a day when you could trust people more, and unfortunately sometimes pay the price because of that. A salesman can throw out some fancy terminology these days, and trick people of any age to buy into their scheme.
My best advice would be to read the contract very carefully and see if there is any way out. Also, research the company on-line. You will often find that these sales scams are well documented, and another's experience may provide you with help, or a way out. Then in the future, research these kinds of things so that you can make the most informed decision possible.
A: Tragically, some people are absolutely heartless and think nothing of exploiting those who are helpless or weak. Perhaps your letter will encourage people to be more alert to these dangers, especially if they have friends or family members who may be vulnerable. The Bible says, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak” (Psalm 41:1).Agreed... to a point. Yes, the 'heartless' will prey on the weak. But that doesn't place Christians in some magical realm where they are super fantastic in regard to the weak. Just look at your average televangelist. He'll preach on TV and tell you that by sending in money, your prayers will be answered. Your problems will be lifted, and good luck will come your way.
Then they tell you that if you send and even more exorbitant sum, your prayer will be answered the very next day. These are Christian pastors lying to the faithful to make fast money. Please tell me how these guys are any different than your average fast-talking salesman? The same is true of the scammers that send out mailers saying that if you send in money, you will receive a prosperity prayer rug that is guaranteed to change your life, or a vile of (magic) anointed holy oil. Again, taking advantage of anyone they can in exchange for a worthless placebo.
Why do some people act so cruelly? The reason is because they’re concerned only for themselves. They never would want anyone to treat them this way, but that doesn’t bother them, for they think only of themselves. They think this way because they’ve left God out of their lives, and have allowed their sinful human nature to control them. The Bible says, “In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises” (Psalm 10:2).Se my answer to the last quoted section. It should be obvious that being a believer doesn't make you any better of a person, just like that. Additional, what about the churches that only help out disaster victims with the string attached that the food or water they need, must come attached to the preaching or a Bible that they really don't right now? I'd call that taking advantage of those in a precarious state for personal (the church) gain.
And where does this attitude that those without God are somehow an army or scam artists? Every door-to-door scam salesman I've encountered has either worn a crucifix around their neck, or closed their pitch with a "God bless". Meanwhile, I'm a non-believer who does deal in sales at times, and I never try to sell someone something they don't need. I will lay out their options, tell them the good and bad of each, and suggest my opinion of which one will work best for them. If they disagree, I don't try to invent a fantasy story about how bad that product it if it will work for them. And if budget is an issue, I will try and come up with ways to save them money, while still providing the best product possible. Please tell me at which point I'm ripping anyone off, or being deceptive?Do what you can to help your mother-in-law, including getting legal advice concerning this contract and whether or not it can be cancelled. Remember: Your concern shouldn’t be just for her, but also for others who might be taken in by this scheme. In addition, it may be time for your husband to take over your mother-in-law’s finances; her lawyer can advise you about this.Um... Why isn't the suggestion that maybe it's time for you or your husband to take care her finances, instead of laying that responsibility on the husband alone? Sure, she's his mom. But maybe Mrs. McL has more time, or is better at that stuff. I don't think blood is such a big deal. If my mother-in-law were is a situation in the future where she needed a budget set for her, or needed help with financial decisions, I wouldn't say that I couldn't help since were aren't blood related. I feel like we get along rather well, and if she (or my parents) needed that extra person to bounce these decisions
off of, I don't see any reason for me to not lend a hand.
I guess Billy is referencing Ephesians 5:22-24 where it says, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands." So... Is misogyny the in thing again?
In addition, ask God to help you be a blessing to your mother-in-law during these latter years of her life. She took care of your husband when he was young and helpless; now ask God to help you care for her. Remember the Bible’s command: “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12).
Yes, because the Bible is so consistent on the honoring of ones parents...
In Luke 14:25-27, Jesus said, "Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." Hate your family? Yeah... No thanks psycho!
Jesus also replied to a man that wanted to be his follower, but wanted to bury his dead father first, "Let the dead bury their own dead..." Yeah, your father died, but don't bother burying him. Just leave him to someone else, or let him sit out and rot. Somehow I'm missing the honoring of thy father in that one.
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| True, that's not the MO for all believers, but it does make a good point. |
No group is perfect. But by knowing that my actions will impact those I deal with and those around me, as well as myself, I will always try to make the best choices for all involved. But when you have a religion that says it will forgive anything so long as you believe, then what reason is there not to rip of poor old Ms. Nelson. Sure you screwed her over, but you and Jesus are buds, so you still have your card punched for Heaven. You tell me which is more conducive to honesty and fairness.
-Brain Hulk
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