When Pride Comes.

A story on friendship, wealth, pride, and what comes with it.

Born into poverty in Enugu, Chinedu an orphan had always dreamed of escaping the hardships of his upbringing. He worked tirelessly doing every odd job he could lay his hands on. He was a devout Christian, and alongside working hard he prayed fervently for a big break. Adewale and Emeka were his closest friends. They joined him in these prayers. They were inseparable, bound by their shared faith and dreams. They promised to be there for each other always.

As time went on Chinedu was taken in as an apprentice by one of his wealthy uncles who sold car parts in Lagos. God’s favor was clearly on his life as he learned the trade very fast and he found favor with his uncle. In no time, his uncle settled him and opened a spare part shop for him.

With God seemingly on his side, Chinedu’s business flourished beyond his wildest dreams. He quickly became known as one of the most prosperous businessmen in the automotive industry. His wealth and influence soared, but with it, sadly so did his pride.

Gradually he no longer had time for those who had been by his side during his humble beginnings. He felt they weren’t at his level anymore and didn’t fit into his new life with rich friends. He made new wealthy friends and surrounded himself with sycophants. He cut off from Adewale and Emeka. All efforts by them to reach him proved futile.

Chinedu no longer prayed and neither did he attribute his success to God, he always boasted “I have worked so hard all my life, and hard work in return has paid me”. He also had no regard for anyone who was below his social status. All he dreamt of was acquiring more wealth and he believed working hard will provide that for him.

One fateful day a few years down the line, Chinedu threw a big party at his mansion. Champagne flowed, music blasted, and guests partied. But during the festivities, He received a call that the shipment carrying his biggest goods had capsized in the sea. As he heard the news, he couldn’t believe it because he had put almost all the money he had into this particular shipment, this was the shipment that would have helped him gain generational wealth status, just as a lot was going through his mind, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and cried for help.

He was quickly rushed to the hospital where it was confirmed that he had suffered a heart attack as well as a stroke. It was as if the entire world came crashing down on him at once. Suddenly his so-called new friends vanished, and he began to spend all he had to get his health back.

While recovering in the hospital, one day he took the hospital Bible that was on his bedside and decided to go through it to see if he would find any solace in it, when he opened the Bible the first verse his eyes met was, ‘Psalms 75:7 But God is the Judge; He puts down one and lifts up another.’ At that moment the realization that he had neglected God dawned on Him, it was as though his eyes were opened, he remembered where he came from, he remembered how he prayed to get all he had.

After a while, His health got better and he was discharged. He traveled down to Enugu with almost nothing. People who had heard about the tales of his wealth were shocked to see how he looked now. He went to the neighborhood to ask about his old friends, this was the first time he had come back here since he left.

When he got to the neighborhood, it looked nothing like when he left, it had transformed into a very beautiful place. When he asked how the transformation came about, He was told that Adewale and Emeka fixed the neighborhood. He couldn’t understand how, “How did this happen” he asked with his voice shaking. “A few after you left Adewale and Emeka started a business that grew very big, they tried reaching out to you to see if you would love to be part of the neighborhood transformation project, but they said you never responded to them.” Mr. Aki replied. Chinedu felt deep shame and regretted allowing pride to take control of him.

Adewale and Emeka also helped a lot of the young people in the community get jobs and also built a free school in the community. They always came around to make sure everything was going well.

Chinedu thought to himself, “If I never cut them off, they would have gladly helped me get back on my feet, but how can I ever face them now.”

When Adewale and Emeka heard about their long-lost friend and his plight they both flew down to Enugu to meet him. Chinedu could not even look at their faces, but his friends came to him and gave him a very big hug, telling him “God has heard our prayers and has blessed us, as long we have, you will have, you will get back on your feet again brother, we are here for you.”

Tears rolled down Chinedu’s eyes as he remembered the verse he saw in the hospital, “But God is the Judge; He puts down one and lifts up another.”

He vowed to never discredit God again and to never allow pride consume him again.

This story is a reminder to stay humble. God has big plans for you and wants to bless you even more. But if you let pride get in the way, you might miss out on these blessings. Remember, everything you have is from God. He gave it to you, and He can take it away if He chooses.

It’s important not to think less of others. The same God who lifted you up can do the same for them, maybe even higher. Don’t let the power or wealth you have control you. Many people have fallen because of pride, and you don’t want to be one of them. Pride often ends in disgrace.

Sometimes, you might not even realize that you’ve become proud. Take some time today to reflect on your life and get rid of any pride in your heart. The devil is always looking for ways to bring you down, and pride is one of his tools. Don’t let him use it on you.

The best way to fight pride is gratitude. Always appreciate what God has given you. He’s been with you all along, helping you every step of the way. Never forget that. The moment you start thinking you’ve done everything on your own, that’s when pride comes, and then comes disgrace.

Proverbs 11:2 — When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18 — Pride goes before destruction a haughty spirit before a fall.