Why I Ignore Beggars from Nigeria

Gary North - September 01, 2016

You are no doubt aware of Nigerian email scams telling you of multi-million dollar opportunities. They were constant a decade ago. I guess response rates have fallen. But I still get them from time to time.

Here, I am writing about another phenomenon: begging letters. Begging letters are a way of life for Nigerian Christianity.

Nigeria has long been the richest Black African nation because of oil. Yet among its Christian population are perpetual beggars.

I figured this out in the 1980's. Begging letters to the Institute for Christian Economics came from no other African nation.

I recall one man who wanted a pile of free books. The Institute for Christian Economics did not publish these books. So, I sent him some books that ICE published. Months later, I got a letter saying that he had not asked for these books. Where were the books he had asked for?

I got the message. I ceased sending money, books, or Bibles to Nigerians.

I received this two days ago:

OYO STATE NIGERIA

Dear beloved in Christ

my name is XXX YYYY i was a church goer until one of my friend invited me to their church after the sermon my understanding was opened then i realized that i am a lost sinner so i repented of my sins and gave my whole life to Christ Jesus is now my lord and messiah i did not stop i went ahead telling other friends to about Jesus and to the glory of God 71 brothers and sister gave their lives to Christ we all are now born again Christians believed that Jesus is the son of God and savior of the word but we all don't have bibles to read Gods word so we need your help dear beloved please kindly send to 72 of us 72 seventy two complete holy bibles and literature's through the above address by M-BAG SEA MAIL

we all are ready too go out there with our bibles and lead other lost souls to Christ

God will bless you as you help us amen

thanks

yours all in Christ

bro XXX YYYY and friends

My response: this report.

There comes a time to stop begging. Nigerian Christians should have stopped begging 40 years ago. But it is a way of life.

If you give handouts to people capable of working, you subsidize begging as a way of life. There are better ways to be productive in life than begging for a living.