Jeremiah did a good deed today. He guided an elderly person from Orchard MRT Station to Camden Medical Centre. During the bus journey there, Jeremiah learnt that the subject was heading for a medical appointment and had missed the shuttle. The subject also repeatedly asked if it was possible to walk from the MRT Station to the Centre. He apparently wanted to save on the forty-cent bus fare in the future.
Later in the day, over dinner, the Teacher shared that a local TV celebrity who earned at least six figures annually had reportedly asked a sportswear company to provide her with a few pairs of socks. Yes, socks!
These two seemingly unconnected incidents got Jeremiah seriously thinking. How do you draw the line between thrift and parsimony? If you can afford to go for medical treatment at Camden Medical Centre, would trying to save 40 cents on bus fares be considered parsimonious? If you are a local TV celebrity who makes big bucks, why would you beg for a few pairs of socks that probably cost less than $10 in all?
I guess living in this society where we have to fend for ourselves, it is always good to cut down on expenses and save for a rainy day. But then again, money is not everything in this world. We came into this world without money and will be leaving without it. The key lies in striking a balance, but where do you draw the line? Then again, perhaps it is better not to be so judgemental about others' private business. After all, Jeremiah tends to scrimp at times. Maybe we should let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
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