“The Problem with Rent to Own”
This past Sunday I preached a sermon entitled, “The Sassiness of Sisterhood”. It was based on scripture in Philippians where Euodia and Syntyche were at odds with each other and Paul encouraged them to put their differences aside and “be of the same mind.” I opened up the sermon with the admission of watching the TV show “Basketball Wives” and how these women have so much drama, negativity and issues going on. Well the show came back on again last night and I watched it and I was so amazed at how they were acting. They were throwing each other under the bus, calling each other out of their names, talking about their physical appearance and bringing up issues. One line that got to me was when one of the women told another woman that she needed to “own up” to what she has been saying about the other women. Hmm. What a word. I have too often been placed in the middle of situations where people have issues with other people and will tell everyone else their issues with that person but not tell that person!
I have had to rent to own furniture in the past. The problem with this is that when you are renting you are taking longer to own what is already in your possession. The other issue is that you will pay MORE in the end rather than paying in full when you first receive it. Lastly, as long as you are still renting you are under the power of who you are renting from. They can always bug you about payment or come get the stuff if you default on your agreement. When it comes to making mistakes in our life or with others, we need to move from RENTING to OWNING!
The one thing I have learned from my mother and now I am teaching my children is to “own” your mistakes, failures and issues. It is easy for us to take credit when we have done right, but how many have the courage to “own” when they have been less than their best. The one issue I have with my children or anyone is when I “know” that they have messed up, but they still “deny” that they have messed up.
I respect people more when they can be transparent about their issues but when a person continues to try to “cover up” their indiscretions, it makes it hard to trust and respect that person.
Now let me put a disclaimer out there…I am not God and I am commanded in God’s Word not to judge or condemn anyone for their issues or failures. Only God can do that. My pay grade doesn’t go that high. But I can have respect for you when you stand on who you are and what you have done. The reason why I can respect you is because I am not perfect, and I understand that none of us are perfect so we can share that commonality together and work to encourage one another.
My kids on the other hand will suffer consequences for NOT “owning up” to their faults because I am held accountable for their training and raising them. I promise I can’t and won’t whoop you if you choose to cover up your mess. Honestly, I could care less (I know that sounds harsh as a pastor). I have constantly encouraged people that I can help people lean on the Word of God, here it is, IF THEY WANT TO! God can change your situation, but He wants you to want to change. He wants us to confess our faults to HIM, He wants us to encourage each other to be delivered from our faults and He wants us to know that there is GRACE and MERCY for our faults.
Yes…I know it is hard to trust people when it comes to transparency. Find you some God fearing and Word believing friends or family that will help you and strengthen you in God’s word! We are stronger TOGETHER than we are APART. This is a consistent message in God’s word. Let us be INTENTIONAL on helping others and not discouraging others.
Be Blessed!
Michael O. Oyedokun II