Your Advice Please.

Joshua

My friends at AJB, I must please ask your advice on a matter of importance.

As part of a programme to help senior citizens in our community, I volunteer some of my spare time to maintain the gardens of people who are unable to do this themselves. Today I have learned that I have been left some money in the will of one of the people who I have done this service for over the past few years. I knew nothing of his intention to mention me in his will and it has come as a great shock.

I am in something of a dilemma. I do not know if it correct that I accept this money and this is why I ask advice.

Should I refuse to accept the money or donate it to my church or a charity?

Do you think it is correct for me to accept it?

I have not yet spoken to my pastor about this but obviously must do so as I do not want any one to think there has been any thing said or done to influence the person into putting me into his will.

I thank you for any advice.

Number24

I think it would be wise to talk to the pastor, as you mention. He's probably been in or at least heard of these kinds of situations before. The pastor also probably knew the person who left the money to you in the will.

Chriscoop

Certainly in some professions it is not allowed t accept gifts or money willed, such as a social worker etc (my wife is a social worker) but as is the case here someone has left you a gift in their will to show appreciation for your kindness and hard work, and I'd guess having you with them probably greatly improved their quality of life. I think Number 24 is right and you should mention this to the pastor, they may also have left some money for the church too, but you should accept this gesture in the spirit it was intended and choose what you would like to do with it, as long as the person was in a sound state of mind you have no moral questions to answer.
Well done Joshua for being such a decent person.

Asp9mm

It was gifted to you as their last wishes. It would be disrespectful not to accept it.

Mr Martini

Asp9mm wrote:

It was gifted to you as their last wishes. It would be disrespectful not to accept it.

I agree with Asp9mm. Once you do get the money, its yours to do with what ever you want. My Uncle was in a similar situation years ago with a neighbor. He would check in on her and grab stuff from the grocery store for her when he went shopping. She had family, but they never bothered to visit. When she passed away, he was the one who found her. He learned he was left a small amount of cash. One of her family members tried to fight it. They didn't have a leg to stand on. He accepted the money once they gave up their fight. So again, take the money. If you want to donate, do it. If you want to gift it to someone else.

Joshua

Thank you my friends. Your advice is very much appreciated and it has helped me to make up my mind. I did speak to my pastor about this. He did know the senior citizen as he was part of my church programme for gardening work. Although I have never heard of this before he did say it has happened in the past. On one occasion a churchgoer who was helping an elderly person (though I must say much more than my efforts) was left some money. He says it is correct for me to accept the money if I wish.

Even though I only saw the person when I visited to tend to his garden I considered him as a friend. I very much enjoyed his company and I believed that he enjoyed mine also. I was very sad when he died and went to his funeral but I never expected for my name to be mentioned in his will and that is the truth.

I did give it more thought but what my pastor has said and all your advice means that I will now accept his gift. It is stressed though that I do this service not for any rewards but in a small way to offer my thanks to the people of United Kingdom for allowing me and my family the privilege of being able to live here when we were desperate for help.

I once again thank you for your kind words and advice.

Number24

Enjoy the money

Cam008

Spend it well

Matt1979

Accept and buy something to make you happy

Joshua

I just thought I would let you know that I used the gift given to me by my dear friend to further myself. I have been able to pay for a course which has resulted in my getting an SIA license. I have since started a new job as a security guard. I have been considering this for some time but my written English was not good enough. I have worked hard on this though and eventually I was able to feel confident enough to apply for a course.

This career move may not seen much to many people but it has finally allowed me to escape the trap of zero hours working. The hours are long but the pay is better than I have been used to.

My friend has helped me more than he could know and I thank him for his kindness.

Number24

I wise and kind decision, Joshua

Mr Martini

Joshua wrote:

I just thought I would let you know that I used the gift given to me by my dear friend to further myself. I have been able to pay for a course which has resulted in my getting an SIA license. I have since started a new job as a security guard. I have been considering this for some time but my written English was not good enough. I have worked hard on this though and eventually I was able to feel confident enough to apply for a course.

This career move may not seen much to many people but it has finally allowed me to escape the trap of zero hours working. The hours are long but the pay is better than I have been used to.

My friend has helped me more than he could know and I thank him for his kindness.

Congrats to you! Please stay safe in your new job.

Thunderpussy

Congratulations Joshua {[] I'm in a similar situation, I recently changed jobs and had the
terrible experience of either No response from employers or cursory replies of regret that I
hadn't been successful All because of my age ! as I'm ever so slightly over 50, I'm
considered Too old. That's even with experience and a set of glowing references from past
employers.
Happily I eventually landed a new Job , Yes I know I was probably just hired to be a bit
of Eye Candy, but I don't mind.
Congratulations again, and I hope this will only be the first step on a long and happy Future -{

Bond44

Not often I am touched reading AJB, but I was reading this - congratulations Joshua!
If the gift has got you to a better place then your friend achieved his aim - of that I am certain.

Good luck in the new role!

Cheers :007)

JTM

Joshua wrote:

I just thought I would let you know that I used the gift given to me by my dear friend to further myself. I have been able to pay for a course which has resulted in my getting an SIA license. I have since started a new job as a security guard. I have been considering this for some time but my written English was not good enough. I have worked hard on this though and eventually I was able to feel confident enough to apply for a course.

This career move may not seen much to many people but it has finally allowed me to escape the trap of zero hours working. The hours are long but the pay is better than I have been used to.

My friend has helped me more than he could know and I thank him for his kindness.

Fantastic work Joshua! All the best for this interesting future career of yours and good luck with any other related undertakings you may embark on {[] It's great to hear some positive news like this on here!

Charmed & Dangerous

That's made my day too. Congratulations Joshua, I'm sure your old friend would have been delighted and honoured that you've used his gift in such a positive way.