Pastor Emmanuel Iren has criticised wealthy individuals who aggressively bargain with poor traders despite having the financial capacity to pay the prices being demanded.
Iren made the remarks while speaking about the attitude of some affluent people who, despite driving expensive vehicles and enjoying financial comfort, still negotiate heavily with struggling petty traders over small amounts.
According to the pastor, some wealthy people have become so accustomed to the “worldly system” that they fail to consider the circumstances of the people they are bargaining with.
“Do you know you can be so wealthy but you’re so ingratiated into the worldly system that in your SUV you have the audacity to wind down your window with your AC and you’re pricing plantain. They said 250, you dey say 200. Why are you pricing plantain? You want God to punish you?” Iren said.
He argued that aggressive bargaining can hurt poor traders, particularly those who depend on daily sales to survive.
Iren further described situations where traders may initially walk away in frustration but later return because of their financial desperation.
“And sometimes, the person will be angry and walk away, but in their desperation they’d run back to you. And as they are giving you you can almost see tears welling up in their eyes. And you take it,” he added.
The pastor stressed that financial prosperity should come with a greater sense of compassion and responsibility towards people who are less privileged.
“You can be in church praying and you are not changing. That’s what I’m saying. Why are you pricing? Who told you you just price everything, God has blessed you,” he said.
Iren urged wealthy Nigerians not to exploit their bargaining power when dealing with poor traders, stressing that those with greater financial capacity should be considerate of people struggling to make a living.
“Don’t exploit because you have bargaining power,” he added.
