—Ecclesiastes 11:1

In our dog-eat-dog world, someone who acts generously can be made to feel like a fool. Thus the cynic says, ‘No good deed goes unpunished,’ implying that those who help others are doomed to suffer as a result of their being helpful.

But, for people of good will, doing the giving thing has its own reward as Patrick Scimone, a garment manufacturer, discovered when he treated, magnanimously, a client who fell upon hard times.

“As a garment manufacturer, I sold some goods to a man who owned a small retail operation in Montreal. I had heard that he was an upright, respectable man who ran an ethical business, so I gave him credit. According to the terms we had initially agreed to, he was to pay his bill of $8,724 sixty days after receiving my shipment. I was very disheartened, naturally, when my bookkeeper told me that he was delinquent on his payment.

“We sent out three notices, which he ignored. Finally, I picked up the phone and called him. ‘What’s going on?’ I inquired. ‘Look,’ he sighed, ‘I’m really sorry but I can’t pay my bill. Business is terrible, and I may have to close. I don’t have a penny to my name. I’m so sorry. It breaks my heart.’

“I didn’t know what to do. Should I take him to court? After all, $8,724 is not a negligible amount. I really needed that money! On the other hand, I felt bad for him. He was down on his luck – what could he really do?

“I wrestled with myself for a long time, and finally concluded that I didn’t have the heart to sue the man. I heard later that he closed his business.

“But, God took care of me, and my business prospered. I felt this was the hand of God rewarding me for being generous to someone who was down and out.

“One day, I received a call from a woman. She was deliberately vague about her intentions, but my curiosity was piqued for some strange reason. So I agreed to see her. When she arrived, she revealed her identity. She was the daughter of the man who still owed me the $8,724.

“All these years, my father felt terribly guilty about the debt he owes you,” she said. “He went bankrupt and was never able to stage a comeback. He still doesn’t have any money, but he asked me to give you this instead.” She then pulled a piece of jewelry out of her pocketbook and handed it to me.

“It was a gold bracelet studded with diamonds. ‘It’s a family heirloom,’ she told me, ‘and practically the only thing of value my father has left. He asked me to give it to you with his sincerest apologies and greatest hope that you will prosper. He doesn’t know how valuable it is, but he’s hoping it will bring you at least part of what he owes you.’ At this point, I didn’t want to take it, but she insisted.

“So, I took it. Some time later, I took it to an expert for an appraisal.

“The appraiser examined the bracelet carefully and at length. Finally, after much time had elapsed, he turned to me and said excitedly: ‘This is a really valuable piece! It’s worth much more than you imagined. As a matter of fact, I would like to buy it from you. I’m prepared to give you what I think its worth, $8,724.’

“I was astounded. The appraiser knew nothing of the debt I was owed by my former client. I felt I had no choice but to accept his offer, the exact amount, to the dollar, I was owed all those years ago.

“It was then that I truly learnt the meaning of the scripture, ‘Cast your bread upon the waters for after a while you will find it again’ (Ecclesiastes 11:1).”