Moral decadence in our society

We live in a world today where moral decadence seems to be on the increase. No doubt the many challenges we face everyday in order to survive is a huge part of what had hastened this process.

There used to be a time where people took pride in doing what's right regardless of whether there was an advantage to it or not. At least growing up I'm sure many of us have experienced one or two situations where someone wowed us with their willingness to do what's right.

Alas today there seems to be a somewhat silent agreement that if it's bringing in money then sometimes the ends can justify the means. You hear things like 'it's all about getting the bag', this is regardless of how that bag was made.

Of course when you try to make people see the error of their ways, they seem to use economic situations to justify any form of criminality it takes to make more money.

Few days ago there was a news of a mechanic who returned about ten million that was mistakenly transferred into his account. The owner announced this in public and soon the news made wave. My concern was the number of people who were insulting this kind hearted man for returning what was not his money to start with.

Even some of those who commended the mechanic for doing right claimed that he only did it because the bank could block his access to that money. A man who should've been celebrated and used as a focus of example to our children on the importance of good morals was now being ridiculed by the citizens.

Alas the story doesn't end there. A few hours later, it also came up that the man was rewarded with fifty thousand naira. An amount many felt was too small and was not justification to them that the mechanic was foolish to return the money.

Seeing the large number of people with this mindset, it looks like we've failed together as a society. When you're only doing good because there's something in it for you.

The same people ridiculing this young man simply forgot or they deliberately chose to ignore the fact that if they'd done the same mistake of transferring that large amount of money to the wrong individual, they would want the person to return it back to them.

If everyone believes in running away with the money, who would then return your money if you were the unlucky person doing the transfer. We still have a long way to go if we loose our morality in the search for wealth.

I hope at the end of the day we all decide to do better as a society.