I am starting a series on the dangers of living a life of assumption. Assumption means accepting something as true without verification, analysis, or statistical proof. It is a dangerous way to live. While faith is sometimes necessary to move forward, you must protect yourself from unnecessary disappointment.
In this video, I shared two real-life experiences that highlight the consequences of assumption.
The Assumption That Almost Caused a Fight
In the past, when we didn’t have refrigerators, meat was preserved using salt. My aunt once brought some pork to our house, treated it with salt, and stored it. The next day, she returned and asked my cousin how many pieces of meat she had left there. Without counting, he assumed there were ten pieces.
However, when she counted, there were only nine. She immediately became suspicious and began questioning everyone. My mother, who had prepared the meat, confirmed that there were only nine pieces. My cousin had assumed it was ten, and that assumption could have caused serious problems in the household.
The Costly Mistakes of Assumption in Money Matters
Money is an area where assumption can cost you dearly. Here are three key examples:
Currency Exchange Scams When changing foreign currency, always write down the serial numbers of the notes before handing them over. Some money changers will switch your genuine notes with fake ones and claim your dollars were counterfeit. Without documentation, you have no proof, and you could suffer a serious financial loss.
Not Counting Money at the Exchange Point One time, after exchanging dollars for a large sum of naira, I assumed everything was correct and left without counting. When I got home, 40,000 naira was missing. Always count your money immediately, and use a counting machine if available. Also, flip through the bundles, as some fraudsters insert half notes in between.
Being Distracted at Transactions If you are not attentive when making payments, a dishonest trader can manipulate your money. If you hand over 20,000 naira, they might drop a 1,000 naira note behind the counter, claim you only gave 19,000, and make you add another 1,000. Just like that, you have lost money without realizing it.
The Price of Assumption in Business and Generosity
Recently, I planned a giveaway, and someone contributed 500,000 naira, which I matched with 1 million naira. I asked a trusted person to bring the cash. He got it from someone he considered reliable, but that person may not have sourced it correctly. By the time we started distributing the money, 8,500 naira was missing. In the midst of large sums, small losses can go unnoticed, but they add up over time.
Avoid Assumption, Be Diligent
Assumption can cause financial loss, unnecessary conflict, and disappointment in life. This series will continue, and I urge you to follow it closely—it could save your marriage, your finances, and even your life.
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God bless you.
