When the giver goes broke, the receivers gossip, laugh among themselves, and say that he didn’t plan his life well.”
When the giver goes broke, the receivers gossip, laugh among themselves, and say that he didn’t plan his life well.”
Banji Alabi
SAFETY MOMENT
Safety Moment: “When the Giver Goes Broke”
When the giver goes broke (God forbid), the receivers gossip among themselves, laugh, and say that he didn’t plan his life well.
The Lesson:
Generosity without boundaries is self-destruction.
We all know the giver. He pays for lunch. Covers the hospital bill. Sends the nephew to school. Bails out the friend’s business. He’s the first call when there’s a problem because “he always comes through.”
Then one day, the giver goes broke.
And what happens? The same receivers who praised him now gather in corners. They gossip. They laugh. They say, “He didn’t plan his life well. He was showing off. He should have saved instead of helping everybody.”
SAFETY MOMENT
Empty cup can’t pour. If you bankrupt yourself helping others, you become a burden instead of a blessing. That’s not noble. That’s poor planning. Your family depends on your stability first.
People adjust quickly. The moment your money stops, their loyalty stops. The same hand you fed will point fingers when you’re down. Don’t expect gratitude to pay your rent.
No one will rescue the rescuer. You saved everyone else, but when you fall, you’ll find out how many “friends” you really have. Most will watch from a distance.
3 Rules of Safe Giving:
Pay yourself first, always. 20% savings/investment comes off the top before you give anything. If you can’t help without touching your capital, say no. That’s not wickedness — that’s wisdom.
Budget your kindness. Set a “help fund” per month. ₦200,000, N500,000, ₦1,000,000, ₦2,000,000, whatever. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Even if your sister calls crying on the 28th. You don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.
Give from overflow, not from essentials. School fees, rent, emergency fund, and business capital are off-limits. If giving means you can’t pay your child’s WAEC fee next term, the answer is no. Joseph saved during 7 years of plenty so he could feed nations in famine. He didn’t give away the grain on day one.
The hard truth:
Your legacy isn’t how much you gave. It’s whether you were still standing at the end. Don’t be the man they clap for at 40 and laugh at at 60, 70, 80.
Call to action:
This week, audit your giving. Are you helping people climb, or are you carrying them while sinking yourself? Plug the leaks. Protect your base. Because when the giver goes broke, the story changes — and it’s never in his favor.
Hold on to your dream. But also hold on to your wallet. Both can die if you’re careless.
True Life Story
“When the giver goes broke, the receivers gossip, laugh among themselves, and say that he didn’t plan his life well.”
You will succeed.
Banji Alabi Esq
