Tell Me Pastor

UNGRATEFUL BROTHER

Dear Pastor,

I was always encouraged by the Bible to do good all the time to my neighbours, friends and most of all my family. Well, I always like to follow the Bible.

I came to the United Kingdom in 1999 to join my mother and sister. Everything was fine in terms of our relationship. My ultimate plans were that if I got through I would like to help my brothers and sisters I left in Jamaica.

Luckily when I came I was blessed in such a way that I got a job just a few days after I arrived. I was encouraged by my mother to go to school, which I did and have successfully completed my GCE'O levels. I went on to university and I can say I have done well.

The problem is while I was attending college I was working part-time to support myself. While doing this I was also saving money and making a tremendous sacrifice to invite my brother to come up and join us.

When he came up I got him a job and told him not to spend his money on food, clothes nor shelter because I will take care of these for him, but save it towards his college fees. He agreed.

After my brother spent a few months in the United Kingdom he decided to go back to Jamaica and come back without any apparent reason on my expense.

I told him I could not afford that because that money could help another brother to come to the United Kingdom. In the end he went home. I was told by my other brothers that my brother said that I did not treat him well. When I spoke to him he could not give any reason as to why he said these things. After all that I have done for this man this is how he has rewarded me.

I'm finding it very difficult to help other family members in any way, which is making me feel very guilty. I'm finding the issue difficult to cope with although I'm a psychiatric nurse. I am kindly awaiting your advice on this matter as it is depressing me for the past two years.

D.J., Birmingham, England

Dear D.J.,

The way to deal with the matter is to forgive your brother for his foolish behaviour. It would be wrong for you to punish the others because your ungrateful brother lied on you. Jesus said that we should forgive those that wronged us 70 times seven.

Thank God you have done well. Do not shut up your bowels to those that need your help. God will bless you for doing good.

Pastor