You said you found it in the trash, right? Yes, she replied softly. I saw it in the hotel waste bin. It was thrown away. Then, mama, the boy added, “If it was in the trash, that means the owner didn’t need it anymore. You didn’t steal it. You picked it.” Madame E looked at her children in confusion.
But my conscience is not free. What if the owner comes looking for it? I can’t keep this kind of thing. Her daughter sighed deeply. Mama, please think about us. Haven’t you suffered enough? You clean toilets every day just to buy us Gary? Even at your age, you are still working like a young girl.
Don’t you think it’s time we rest a little? Tears rolled down Madame Eek’s cheeks. Her children’s words touched her heart. Mama, the boy continued. Maybe this is God’s way of blessing us. Maybe he saw your tears and sent this money to you. She covered her mouth and wept quietly. She didn’t know what to do. She prayed in her heart.
Oh God, if this money is a trap, please save me. But if it’s truly your gift, help me use it wisely. Meanwhile, at the other side of town, Pastor Amecha was losing his mind. He shouted at his driver. “Take me back to the hotel right now.” “When they arrived,” he ran straight to the reception. “I forgot something in my room,” he said breathlessly.
The hotel manager bowed respectfully. Sir, your things were already cleared. Our cleaners have disposed of all the waste. Pastor Amecha’s eyes widened. What? Disposed of what? The trash, sir? Everything left behind was taken to the dump site early this morning. He pushed past them and ran outside like a madman.
He shouted at his security men, “Search everywhere. Search the bins. Check the dump site. Bring me that gallon. They searched the entire place. They even went to the local trash dump, but they found nothing. The gallon was gone forever. For the first time in years, Pastor Amecha felt powerless.
His heart was heavy. His hands were trembling, and his mind was full of fear. That night, when he got home, his wife Lisa noticed his strange behavior. she said gently. What’s wrong? You’ve been quiet since morning. Talk to me. He didn’t answer. He just sat down, holding his head. Please tell me what’s going on, she begged again.
He suddenly shouted, “It’s all gone. Everything is gone.” Lisa was confused. “What do you mean?” “What is gone?” “My savings,” he cried. “All my life savings are gone. Lisa stared at him. What savings? What money are you talking about? You’ve been hiding money behind my back. He realized he had said too much and stood up quickly. Leave me alone, woman.
She followed him. Acca, answer me. Are you taking church money? Is that where all the miracles and traveling money come from? He didn’t reply. He just stormed into his private prayer room and locked the door. But deep inside he knew the truth. He had been stealing from the church. And now his secret sin had caught up with him.
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