You convince me that the writing is "Godophobic" or that it makes God look bad and I'll turn in my Opus Dei membership.

That's cool, I'm not trying to be a killjoy. I was just curious. The article had no religious slant at all so I wondered where that angle in the OP came from. No worries, though. Carry on.

:)

"I never explain anything!"
M. Poppins

Amen, Amen, I say to you. Since I have all ready broken my rule of defending my own post, I guess there is no harm in continuing (but that's it!)

My point was only to ponder the nature of what dictates Gods Will in terms of an 'answered prayer', especially when it involves money. One might pray for wealth, but how could God deliver on this prayer if not by taking it away from somebody else? So, here was a man who desperately needed money to provide for his sick wife and lo, it was delivered. But then, as we know, the taxi driver returned the money. Assuming God had actually granted him these graces, then the money was his to use as he pleased. And by declining the money, it can be argued that he also refused the will of God.
It was just another way of looking at his actions. Obviously, I don't even know if he is Catholic, but since he is from the Philippines, I'd say its a safe bet.

I tell you the truth, in his situation, I would have kept the money. I would have also offered a portion of the money (as a tithing) to the Church & clergy, but there is no doubt in my mind what I would have done with the rest. Especially in light of his spouses condition.

I found the OP to be full of Trefish hillarity, but I think the explanation Tref posted is really interesting. I think if my spouse were gravely ill and my rent was overdue I'd most likely have kept the money as well.

As for Godophobic - isn't fear of God the fuel that fires religious fervor?

That explanation actually does provide some good food for thought. Thank you for breaking your rule Tref, I appreciate it as you've proposed something interesting to ponder.

a strange phrase indeed

Tref, please promise to never explain yourself again! <shudder>

Took me about five seconds to think of half a dozen ways.

Never.

Interestingly, the Japanese seem to have a system that works for this.

When we lost a pouch containing about $3000 worth of Yen in Japan, we thought we'd never get it back, but we didn't reckon with the Japanese Honour System.

The pouch was found and handed in at the local police station, where it was itemised, and a reciept issued to the finder.

The police called us and advised that the pouch was found, and gave us contact details for the finder.

We then had to meet face-to-face with the finder, pay a 10% finders fee to him, and he would in return give us the reciept, which we could use to get our pouch back.

Needless to say, the finder didn't want to take the $300.00 reward (which we had put in a beautifully decorated envelope for him) but did let us pay for his coffee.

...and that's how it works. Finder gets met and thanked, and 10% (or more if the owner sees fit) as reward.