A Man Died of Hunger But Food Was Served at his Funeral: When You’re Less Busy Think About This!

09-21-2022

By Stephen Apollo

“A man died of hunger but food was served at his funeral… When you’re less busy think about that!” Last week, I came across this Facebook post from my friend Dennis, which really caught my attention. And indeed when I was less busy I thought about it, which is why I am writing about it.

It may surprise many from the global west, that funerals and weddings are communal affairs in Africa. My own wedding which was in the city, had more than five hundred people in attendance! More often than not, the members of the community plan and fund for these events and the people concerned are relieved from bearing the burden of these events alone.

As an important part of our African hospitality and culture, most communities in Kenya serve food in funerals. I believe it is against this background that the Facebook post from my friend makes sense. I thought about this bothering post in the line of a peculiar habit in Kenya, where we have a tendency of speaking good things about people after they die, with a high likelihood of having never told them those things while they were still with us.

It is important to tell people in our different circles of life what we think about them. Do not spare that compliment. Do not withhold those words of affection. Do not keep in heart those kind words. Let them know that you care and love them. I believe this is what the author of Hebrews had in mind when he wrote, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called TODAY…” (Hebrew 3:13, emphasis is mine).

It is also important to care for others whenever we can. Do not postpone that kind action. Do not suspend that idea of doing a certain good to others. The call to think about the welfare of others is not a miscellaneous duty, it is an all time commitment. I believe the author of Proverbs had this in mind when he said, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you” when you already have it with you” (Proverbs 3:27-28).

Today is the day. Go tell them. Go do it for them. Tomorrow may be late.