Hello
In one of my last conversations (end of 2004) with a long time close friend of 25 years (he's still in and believing) I said to him that with the generation change Armageddon could be another 200 or 300 years away. There's no way of knowing. He disagreed so I cornered him into saying when he thought it would be.
"8 years absolute maximum".
This will be 2012 when the London Olympics take place. I want to ring him 1st Jan 2013. Anyway this got me thinking. He's well off financially and has always done well house property wise. Would he be willing to put his money where his mouth was?
Therefore I got to thinking of bringing this scenario up at a group study.
During my latter days of attending meetings I so much wanted to say this.
Picture the scene.
Drinking tea after the group study, chatting amiably about anything but the book just studied.
"Brothers, I was chatting to a guy I met in work today and he's offering a way for us all to make money for nothing.
You see he is absolutely loaded with cash and is always looking for new ways of investing his money. Anyway he knows about our beliefs about this system ending very soon. I mean, who thinks it can go on another 5 years? Anyone? 10 years tops all agreed?"
Surely no one would say longer than 10 years
"Look here's the best bit. This guy is willing to pay cash upfront now of 20% of the value of our homes and won't ask for a penny back. The only stipulation is that after 15 years the title deeds to the ownership of the property go to him.
My house is worth £200,000 so he's paid me £40,000 in cash today. All it means is that in 2021 he gets the house but as we all know that isn't going to happen is it. That money will come in very handy and being a loving brother I've given him all your phone numbers and names and addresses so he can contact you with the same offer. I've already told him that no-one thinks it will go on for another 15 years so he should get no refusals."
You see I so wish I had said something like this to the brother who said 8 years max to the big A. He is as tight as a duck's arse and would never risk his security.
Please try this in conversation with brothers and see how far you get.
Thanks
Thomas Covenant