THE MAN WHO WOULD NOT CONSIDER
In the ancient community of Umuchi Kwe lived a man called Egbo-Egboshi-Uko, meaning “the one unwilling to consider.”
His name became a reflection of his character. Once he made up his mind, nobody could persuade him. Counsel sounded like an insult, correction became an attack, and compromise was weakness.
He fought over land, wealth, position, honour, and influence. He could put two heads together if that was what it took to have his way.
He was determined to win every battle, but he did not realise that a man can win arguments and still lose his soul.
THE WISDOM OF THE ELDERS
The elders of Umuchi Kwe became concerned.
One day, they called him and warned him:
“My son, do not spend your life fighting for things that cannot follow you beyond the grave. There is a God who created man, and there is a place of accountability beyond this earthly life.”
Another elder added:
“Naked we came into this world, and naked shall we return.”
But Egbo-Egboshi-Uko laughed.
“There is no God waiting to judge me,” he said. “A man must fight for himself. If I do not fight for wealth and position, who will give them to me?”
The elders became silent.
The oldest among them simply said:
“Wisdom can knock at the door, but it cannot enter a house whose owner has locked the door from within.”
A HEART CLOSED TO COUNSEL
Egbo-Egboshi-Uko continued his way.
He accumulated wealth.
He acquired lands.
He built houses.
He pursued influence.
He fought for positions.
Whenever there was disagreement, he refused to yield.
He became so determined to prove himself right that he stopped asking whether he was becoming righteous.
There is a dangerous prison called pride. Its walls are invisible, but they can prevent a man from hearing the very counsel that could save him.
WHEN WEALTH BECAME HIS GOD
Years passed.
His wealth increased, but his humility decreased.
His houses became larger, but his heart became harder.
His possessions multiplied, but his peace disappeared.
He had many things, but the things he possessed gradually began to possess him.
He forgot that wealth is a servant, not a saviour.
He forgot that position is temporary.
He forgot that every earthly crown eventually bows before death.
THE DAY DEATH CAME
One day, sickness entered his house.
At first, he believed he could overcome it as he had overcome every other problem.
But this was a battle money could not win.
His wealth could buy medicine, but it could not buy another breath.
His influence could command people, but it could not command death.
His houses could shelter his body, but they could not prevent his soul from departing.
Then came the final night.
Egbo-Egboshi-Uko died.
The village mourned.
But his houses remained.
His lands remained.
His money remained.
His positions remained.
Everything remained except the man who fought so hard to possess them.
THE MEETING HE NEVER BELIEVED WOULD HAPPEN
The man who had said there was no God now stood before the God whose existence he had denied.
The man who rejected accountability now faced accountability.
The man who laughed at eternity now stood before eternity.
He looked for his wealth.
It was not there.
He looked for his lands.
They were not there.
He looked for his titles.
They were not there.
He looked for his influence.
It could not help him.
He had arrived exactly as the elders warned:
NAKED.
His wealth had remained on earth.
His houses had remained on earth.
His arguments had remained on earth.
His possessions had remained on earth.
Only his soul had crossed the boundary.
THE WEALTH THAT COULD NOT FOLLOW
Egbo-Egboshi-Uko spent his life gathering, but death taught him that gathering is not the same as keeping.
He had built houses but could not take them with him.
He had acquired lands but could not carry them into eternity.
He had pursued position but could not wear his title beyond the grave.
He had accumulated wealth but could not purchase immortality.
The tragedy was not that he became wealthy.
The tragedy was that he allowed wealth to become more important than his soul.
THE LESSON OF THE GRAVE
The grave is the great equalizer.
The rich and the poor enter it.
The powerful and the powerless enter it.
The celebrated and the forgotten enter it.
The hands that once held millions eventually become dust.
The mouth that once commanded thousands eventually becomes silent.
And the possessions that once seemed permanent pass into other hands.
Therefore, let no man become so busy preparing his earthly house that he forgets to prepare his soul.
THE DANGER OF AN INTRANSIGENT HEART
An intransigent heart does not merely refuse people’s opinions.
It can eventually refuse truth itself.
There is a difference between conviction and stubbornness.
Conviction stands upon truth and remains willing to examine itself.
Stubbornness stands upon pride and refuses examination.
Sometimes the person correcting you is not your enemy.
Sometimes the correction you resist is the mercy you desperately need.
THREE REFLECTIVE LESSONS
- LISTEN BEFORE YOU REJECT
Not everyone who corrects you hates you. Sometimes wisdom comes through the voice you least want to hear.
- POSSESS WEALTH WITHOUT ALLOWING WEALTH TO POSSESS YOU
Money, property, fame, and position are temporary. They can serve you on earth, but they cannot save you in eternity.
- DO NOT POSTPONE REPENTANCE
“Later” is a dangerous word.
Later I will change.
Later I will forgive.
Later I will seek God.
But nobody is guaranteed another sunrise.
The wisest time to turn from a wrong path is while you still have time to turn.
THE FINAL WARNING
Egbo-Egboshi-Uko thought he was fighting to secure his future.
He did not realise that he was gradually destroying it.
He spent his life trying to possess the world and forgot to prepare his soul.
Naked we came, and naked we shall return.
Jesus asked:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Mark 8:36, KJV»
And Scripture gives this solemn warning:
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46, KJV
DO NOT BECOME SO DETERMINED TO WIN YOUR EARTHLY BATTLES THAT YOU LOSE YOUR SOUL.
LIVE WITH ETERNITY IN VIEW.
