I am trapped on the island again due to incessant rain that refused to leave the Lagos Metropolis since the beginning of this month; it has been a thoroughly sad and eventful day for me but I hold my head up, refusing to join the exodus butting their rides against each other, until they find a free way to escape the madness called traffic. Sitting on my office desk, I decided to take a peep at the write-up of the contending bloggers and was I please I did. The stakes and the competition was quite stiff as I read beautiful proses, poems, articles and sorts of biographies and I was glad that Nigeria is a hub for great and wonderful writers. Was I glad to have read them and every time I think of who might eventually grab the 33K, tears of joy continue filling my heart.
Have you ever tried being a winner? Being the first in class? Having the best GPA? Obtaining the employee of the year? Or admired as the distinguished entrepreneur? All these questions lead to the ultimate question about the pyramid and why there are delusions especially amongst the so called Christians from condemning what they do not understand and why Jesus in his gentleness always loses his cool against this so called “God Lovers” called Pharisies, Sadducees, etc and why he is not able to lose his cool against demons despite their aggressive and conniving tendencies. This is the heart of this story, the peculiar delusion of men and the inability to expand their parochial framework where they do not seek nor do they ask not to talk of knocking.
A suppose “God Lover” asked me – Why Dipo? Why are you, a born again, tongue talking, spirit filled Christian be engaged in these scams fronting as Multi Level Marketing? Before I could reply the guy, he simply stopped me by presupposing my answer “Don’t tell me of risk because all you are doing is scavenging on those that do not have good marketing platform to operate.” I kept quiet and allowed him to keep babbling and he quickly noticed my silence, stopped and asked for a reply. Instead of a reply, I also propounded my allegations; “why are you a “God Lover” involved in a pyramid scheme?” He was definitely taken aback and quickly blurted the obvious reply “God forbid, how can I engage in a Pyramid? I have not gone as low as you have gone.” He retorted feeling great with his outburst. “You work in a company and that makes you a pyramid Scheme proponent; A company is the best example of a pyramid structure where there is only one head at the apex and the highest number of peeps are the lower level; everybody conniving, attaining and struggling to be the head of the pack without due respect for the other person.” I said, knowing that this statement would cause some deep reflections in his heart.
This is what pyramid structures are all about, it is what governs life from the entertainment lifestyle that show top ten best movies to top Models and actors. Best footballer of the year, top ten MBA ranking, Oscars, Grammies, MTV Awards are all pyramid in nature and every time we involve in these events either by anticipation or interest, we have become great proponents. This does not elude the Christian sector where the Pope stands at the head of the Catholic pyramid and the Pentecostal Pastors with all reverence become the chief of Pyramid ventures where the members are exploited for increased Property gain. My motive here is not to attack but to cause a deep reflection on values and what we follow without much of a thought since this so called “God Lovers” do not remove the logs from their eyes before trying to remove specks from their neighbour.
Pyramid is what governs our lives from the day we were born; to reach the apex at the expense of others. If we get to the top without others under us, there is a feeling of helplessness; there is no share power; there is no oppression which thrives on our despondent soul. We look at our neighbors for affirmation and every thing we do has become meaningless. Have you seen my new car? I work with Shell. I am a friend to Yar Adua’s Personal Assistant. I just bought a new Plasma TV. The church is no exception; do you know Sister Mary is getting married? Brother Nosa just got a VISA to America. If there is nobody there to acknowledge the sheer joy of rising, it becomes no sheer joy. So I begin to question the so called “God lovers” motive for disregarding and condemning things they know nothing about. They venture into analysis-paralysis and produce no fruits; they argue with every doctrinal move and produce nothing better.
The kingdom parable of the talent always comes to mind where Jesus reprimanded the guy that did not do anything with the resources he was given; the one talent that he had was given to the one that doubled his talent. The guy with one talent was arguing with his master, he said “I know you are a hard man and you reap where you do not sow”. I hope this is not what the so called “God Lovers” thinks of God. When the aforementioned “God Lover” called me a risk taker, I almost laughed because the true risk takers are those that do nothing about their resources leaving their unborn children and wife at the greatest risk of economical disadvantage panorama and telling their children stories that they may never be interested in to cover their inadequacies. Just like the parable of the talent, John 15 opens an interesting chapter where fruitfulness (otherwise known as result in today’s parlance) was the main emphasis; if you are not moving ahead in life in terms of productivity, check the vine,; it may not be that of Jesus because as Jesus himself said “he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth much fruit”. Fruit is the satisfaction that animals derive from plants. The world is wondering the satisfaction they can derive from you; please, provide one instead of arguing like the one-talent guy.
I can’t really say the pyramid structure is absolutely right or wrong but I have this to say to the so called “God Lovers”. Whenever you are trying to change your level for example getting married or seeking for promotion at work place, check your motive; they are mostly pyramid. If you have been seeking God for a promotion at the work place and your colleague gets the promotion; how do you feel? Or is it marriage issue where you are 30+ and your younger sister who is not as physically attractive as you are, announces her wedding day; how do you feel? If your emotions are biting at you, then you should know you know you are not ready to get married. Well, I don’t want to venture into this now but stay on the path of what Pyramid is all about. Club Freedom is Pyramidal in structure but it is not a Ponzi scheme, it thrives on others to rise because it incorporates a network marketing theme; you rise based on the amount of referrals you bring coupled with strategic and tactical leanings. I almost forgot the most important of all; joining the right team – very essential! In joining Club Freedom, you sell $150 travel voucher to peeps who must pay a $50 membership fee and in order to get the ultimate price of 6K dollars together with variable resort center lodging for 7 days almost every where round the world. This is fantastic and it is cool and just like every other thing in life, it is risky!
i’ll like to know more
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Ogu, guyman, Refinedone, O’jay Simpson, Henry, fhreedom4real:
There is no reason why we should not be able to debate this topic with passion and still learn and respect each other.
The topic was killed due to the ……..
Personally, I have learnt some things and I know I would have gained more if the discussion has been sustained.
The truth is that my actions are based on my thoughts and my thoughts emanate from the information stored in my database that are available for analysis.
What seems the best today based on new information may come to the second position.
I will change my mind and touch what I would not even look at a while ago if only I now have enough information that resolves my concerns.
I am denied of opportunities to learn when those that have information for one reason or the other are made to shut up.
I appeal to us all to be passionate, vocal and yet resist the use of words that may make others hold back their opinions.
Regards,
Mathew
I respect the fact that everybody whether a christian or a muslim has a right to hold diverse opinions, including Dipo. O’jay you have done your part now allow God, if what Dipo is doing is wrong he would surely correct him.
In my view the CF guys are doing legal business and they have gone a step further from July 1st 2007, members can invest in FOREX or would it be pyramid/ponzi arrangement?
Let’s cut the story short, join the Naija Freedom Team TODAY
http://www.cludfreedoms.com/naijateam.htm or http://www.cludfreedoms.com/rtnaijateam.htm
Please respect this business model it is basically different.
A pyramid scheme (also known as “Pyramid Scam” [1]) is a non-sustainable business model that involves the exchange of money primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, usually without any product or service being delivered. Pyramid schemes have existed for at least a century. Matrix schemes use the same fraudulent non-sustainable system as a pyramid; here, the victims pay to join a waiting list for a desirable product which only a fraction of them can ever receive.
Henry,
I don’t talk about something I don’t know. When I heard about Club freedom, I did extensive research on it and my views are based upon those. As a start, pls check the link below:
http://www.matrixwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4625&page=12
Why don’t you guys just market club freedom as buying a travel voucher with $150 and putting $50 in a jackpot that requires you to recruit a lot more people to win the ultimate prize. Club freedom themselves admit that the reward scheme is by using down lines to pay uplines so what are you talking about? And again, trust you don’t know that you can get that access certificate free.
Anyways, if you have chosen club freedom as a way to go, please do the right thing and not market it as an investment because it’s not. It’s about getting a travel voucher and entering a jackpot funded by every member’s $50.
People amaze me to no end. I am not an advocate for MLM but, how can you place a label on something you know so little about. Guyman, with all due respect, if there’s some proof that they pay uplines with the contributions of downlines, then give us some evidence in that regard. Until then take the path of law… innocent until proven guilty.
One of the hallmarks of maturity is the ability to substantiate claims with hard facts because words are like forest fires; inflaming the hearts of all who listen. Do not let your bias rob others of a wonderful opportunity if they are interested. This, as with most things in life, should be met with some equanimity.
Dipo
You have sunk to the lowest depths. You are now trying to justify CF by writing this horrible article about pyramids in our lives. I agree with you that many things in life have pyramid structures but that is where it ends! You justifying CF beacuse organiations have pyramid structures is rubbish. Like guyman posted above, an organisation is set up, it carries out legitimate business, makes profit and remunerates its staff. On the other hand CF isnt a legitimate business. The claims is you are selling holidays at £150, who are the people buying the holidays? When I pay £150, do I get to go on any holiday? answer is no. That is where you can tell CF is a ponzi scheme and you are only paying off the people in front of you.
I guess the only reason you wrote this article was because of your conscience. You hurriedly put together an article which does not justify CF but rather makes you look even more fraudulent. It is good to take risks but it must be calculated risk. A house built on quicksand will definitely not last. A word is enough for the wise.
…but everything is not MLM!
@ Refined one
Not justifying myself dear; just bringing light to a subject that eludes many and one last thing:
EVERYTHING IN THIS LIFE IS TEMPORARY!
Dipo,
why do you feel the need to justify yourself… if MLM is the way for you that should be your choice…some may not be interested simply out of principle, as in that is not a way to make money for them.
You trying to draw analogy to everything in life as a pyramid in not necessary ( IMHO)
MLM, (IMO) is temporary…it’s not long term. It a matter of the early bird eats the fattest worm!
but then again, to each his own I say!
PS: Looking forward to other topics other than MLM.
@ guyman
Very interesting thot!
The money you get from your company (if you work in a company) is as a result of the labour you and others provide; depending on the nature of bizness – if you work in a bank, it is the liabilities that the marketers bring in that pays your dough.
The aim of Club Freedom is not 6K dols but Travelling to an exclusive resort center. The 6k is expected to facillitate your travel. In order to achieve this dream, you are expected to market their travel voucher and network with others to grow. This is the formation of every Network marketing.
I am sure you can read about MLM and Network marketing; just google it!
I am done trying to explain it; you have a choice dear……..
Dipo, Are you telling me it is not money from your downlines that is used to pay you your own $6000. Is the company bringing money from outside the pyramid to pay off those at the top? If the answer to those two questions is no, then I wonder what constitutes a ponzi scheme if not this one. As I said, they might be getting more sales on their vouchers with the arrangement, but the fact remains that even with it the process of getting $6000 is a ponzi arrangement
@ guyman
What is a pyramid?
A pyramid has nothing to do with money.
Multilevel marketing has a lot to do with buying into a product and thru referal able to acquire commision from that product. Club Freedom is a multi Level marketing or what some refer to as Network marketing; it has the structure of a pyramid.
Almost every work place has the structure of a pyramid!
Whats a ponzi scheme?
Please, kindly use words appropriately; thats one of the greatest issue we have as human – we tend not to understand first before we conclude…….
Dipo
I beg to differ. When you make an analogy with your company, you are forgetting that you do not all contribute money to pay your CEO who is at the head of the pyramid. The institution has a structure which generates money and you get you share of it, commesurate with your position on the pyramid. This is very different from MLM where your money is being used to pay someone else and no value is generated even though a $150 travel voucher is involved. Why don’t they just go ahead and market the vouchers if that is their core business and forget the ponzi arrangement. Or if I sign on today and feel I don’t want the $6000 again, will I get a travel voucher along with the change if that is the main reason for the program. The whole thing is just glorified ponzi, only they were smart enough to attach a product to it
Dipo,
My pastor once said that some Christians are poor not because they did not see businesses to do, but, because they reject businesses on grounds that Christians must not be seeing doing certain businesses. Many try to be more catholic than the Pope. When opportunities (risks) that will transform their lives come, they frown at it and look for an appropriate verse in the Bible to support their argument. Over the weekend, my friends and I were reviewing these schemes. We tried to convince one of us one the workability of the schemes and he quickly asked “are we sure they are not into money ritualsâ€. That was the end of the discussion because it was obvious that he was being myopic. It would take ages to convince him to change his mind. He was just not ready for the risk. We left him