Deep down I think the Evangelicals

[wnylib]

79. Many years ago I had a fundie landlady

who followed the prosperity gospel. I was a college student working two jobs, one on campus and one across town. My used car was an absolute necessity for getting to classes and work.

When the car became undriveable due to a needed expensive repair, the landlady offered me a deal. She would lend the money to me if I signed the title over to her and would sell it back to me when I paid her back, plus the difference between the repair and the book value. Meantime, she would allow me to drive it to work and classes. The car, including the body, was in very good shape, except for the one repair needed.

She told me how her pastor taught that the good would prosper at the expense of the bad. If I was truly good, I would not lose the car and would be able to pay her back. The profit to her in the deal was part of God's promise to her for helping me.

I went to a college counselor with my financial problem. She referred me to the financial aid department. They sent me to the dean who said they had an emergency fund for students if a financial crisis threatened their ability to continue classes. I was on tbe dean's list and tutored other students at the college's learning center, so he arranged for me to get the money and have an affordable amount deducted regularly from my tutoring paycheck. Worked out well.

Landlady was not happy that I found my own solution. Took away my driveway parking privilege. By the time the lease expired to allow her to raise the rent or not renew it, I was ready to graduate and move on.