The Giver — A Fictional Dramatisation
Fictional dramatisation: This is an original fictional story created to explore themes in The God Business. It is not a customer review, testimonial, or account of a specific real person.
The Giver
Mariam had always been known as a giver. When a neighbour lost work, she organised food. When a friend was ill, she visited. When the collection basket came around, she gave what she could because generosity made her feel connected to something larger than herself.
But, over time, “what she could” became “what she could not afford.” Each month came a new appeal: a special offering for breakthrough, a seed for protection, a gift to prove commitment. Whenever she asked where money went, she was told that questions showed a lack of faith.
One evening, Mariam helped a community group prepare a public budget for a local project. Every contribution had a purpose. Every expense had a receipt. Every person could ask a question. She looked at the page and felt an unfamiliar thought arrive: Why should asking where money goes be seen as disloyalty?
Mariam did not stop caring, giving, or valuing community. She began to distinguish generosity from pressure, belonging from obedience, and spiritual comfort from financial control. She chose to give where accounts were open, dignity was protected, and people could disagree without being threatened.
“A generous heart deserves an honest place to give.”
The God Business is a four-volume series about institutional power, freedom of conscience, transparent giving, and the courage to ask accountable questions.