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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Love (04/27/06)

TITLE: What Maketh A Man?
By Corinne Smelker
04/30/06


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“Sean, congratulations, this has been a long time coming. Your new office will be available on Monday and here’s the keys to your new company car. As you know, you have stock options and will receive a percentage of the profits. Once again, congratulations.”

Sean’s coffee-coloured face broke into a smile as he shook the Chairman of the Board’s hand. Indeed he had waited and worked awfully hard to earn this position, CEO of an International Banking Conglomerate.

With the smile still on his lips, he took the proffered keys, “I’ll do my best to make this company more profitable, and make the Board proud.”
“We know you will. You are a man of integrity, that’s one of the reasons we picked you. Now go home and tell Kelly the good news.”

********************************************************************************************************

“Sipho, congratulations, this has been a long time coming. Your new office will be available on Monday and here’s the keys to your new company car. As you know, you have stock options and will receive a percentage of the profits. Once again, congratulations.”

Sipho’s coffee-coloured face broke into a smile as he shook the Chairman of the Board’s hand. Indeed he had waited and worked awfully hard to earn this position, CEO of a bank right here in Johannesburg, South Africa

With the smile still on his lips, he took the proffered keys, “Thank you sir. I’ll do the company proud.”
“Yes, I know,” the Chairman laughed, “You are a tough man when dealing with the competition and we need more people like you! Now, go home and tell your family the good news.”

********************************************************************************************************

Sean clambered into the luxury car, laid his head back on the leather, and inhaled deeply. Thank you Lord for blessing me so abundantly! I love you so much– you are wonderful! But I know it’s not for my benefit, but to further the kingdom of God and advance the gospel. What should I do with the bonus? It must be at least two million.

For a moment he dreamt of the mansion he could buy, the cruises he could take, the cars he could collect… “Oh. I’m sorry Lord. It’s so easy to be distracted by the things I could get. What do you want me to do with the extra in my paycheck, and the bonuses?”

********************************************************************************************************

Sipho clambered into the luxury car, laid his head back on the leather, and inhaled deeply. Yay me! Good thing I beat out Lebo, but I’m definitely the better man, even though I had to smear his name and undermine him. Ok, what should I do with the extra cash? Ummm…well I’ve been eyeing the Hummer’s, and man, the Mercedes Benz SUV is a sweet ride. Hey, and maybe I should get me a yacht. Nah, I don’t swim. But it’s time to move to the new gated community that Nelson Mandela lives in, now there’s a status symbol!

********************************************************************************************************

Kelly will be so excited. I would call her from the car, but I want to tell her in person. “You know Lord, she has been bugging me about that orphanage ‘Sunshine Children’s Home’ in Johannesburg, I think. Yeah, that’s it. Well, how about I give one of the bonus cheques to that orphanage? I know they do great work with the AIDS babies. Hey, perhaps instead of taking a cruise, she and I can go there and see what they do. Photos in church don’t quite cut it, and Kelly really has wanted to go. And we can give to the missionaries our church already supports...”

As he drove he thought more about he and Kelly could make a difference with the incredible blessing God had bestowed on him.

* Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and all your mind. Matthew 22:37

********************************************************************************************************

As Sipho drove past ‘Sunshine Children’s Home’ he averted his eyes. There’s nothing I can do. It’s all her fault. I‘m sure it’s not me. It’s not my fault the little brats she bore have AIDS. That‘s the best place for them. Why should I be expected to look after them? I’m far too important to do that – look at me, I’m a rich man.

As he drove past the orphanage his thoughts turned to how he could make himself even richer now that he had a new position in life.

*For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 1 Timothy 6:10


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This article has been read 790 times
Member Comments
Member Date
Jan Ackerson 05/04/06
Wowsers, I'll bet I know whose this is...superb job! The scriptures you picked for the end of each man's parallel story were perfect. A refreshing piece with an approach not often seen.
Mtheto Hara05/05/06
lovely didactic piece of literature.
Good writing and God bless .This kind of talent maketh a great writer and social analyst.
Amy Michelle Wiley 05/06/06
I know who wrote this too. ;-) Good job and good point!
Suzanne R05/07/06
I've no idea who wrote this, but the contrast works well. Good job!
Helen Paynter05/07/06
Great piece of writing. Nice title!
Debbie OConnor05/07/06
It's not how much money you have, but what you do with what you've got. Great message.
Virginia Gorg05/08/06
I like this a lot - the parallel between the two men is great. I see an error in the line "here’s the keys.." It should read here ARE the keys (plural). Overall, very well done showing the love in each man's heart.
Maxx .05/08/06
Great lesson ... I'd really like to find out what I'd do with a $2,000,000 bonus. Test me, Lord! ;-) I jest, but it points to the reality of the story. What a struggle it could be for a person with the wrong priorities. The only problem with parallel stories like this is there is so little space that developing 2 characters is hard work. You pulled it off well. Good job!
Purity Snowe05/09/06
How sad the hearts of men can be ... two men, both alike in earthly trappings but different in their souls!
Val Clark05/09/06
Well written, says such a lot in a limited word count. I particularly like the fact that both characters are black. Yeggy
dub W05/10/06
Enjoyed the contrast pattern of this article. Well done.
Rita Garcia05/10/06
Love the title,love the story! Great job.
Anita Neuman05/10/06
Powerful contrast here! And both characters are very realistically portrayed. Good job.


   
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