Ghanaian gospel musician Brother Sammy has revealed how a conversation with an elderly man at a funeral prompted him to rethink his priorities and give up his collection of luxury cars to invest in a house.
The singer disclosed that at one point in his life, he owned 14 cars despite living in a rented property. However, a chance meeting with the elderly man made him realise that he had been putting his money into the wrong things.
Recounting the experience, Brother Sammy said he first encountered the man at a funeral after giving him some money. When he returned to the funeral grounds the following day in another vehicle, the elderly man recognised him, expressed his appreciation and asked him to sit beside him.
Their conversation took an unexpected turn when the man discovered that the musician owned several cars but had not built a house.
“The car you brought yesterday was very nice; is it yours?” Brother Sammy recalled the man asking.
After confirming ownership, the elderly man pointed to the vehicle he had arrived in that day and sought to know whether it also belonged to him.
Brother Sammy said the man was particularly surprised to learn that he was still renting despite having multiple vehicles. He then shared a personal experience to caution the musician against making similar financial decisions.
“And you’re renting? My grandson, I stayed abroad my whole life, and the money I sent to my family to build for me, they didn’t do it. I am still living in a family house. I don’t want you to repeat the same mistake as me. When you get home, sell those cars and build a house with the money,” Brother Sammy quoted him as saying.
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The advice struck a chord with the gospel musician, who said he began considering the man’s suggestion almost immediately.
As fate would have it, shortly after completing his performance at the funeral, someone approached him with an offer to purchase the Toyota Camry he had driven to the event.
“That same day he paid for the car. The very next day I used the money to purchase a piece of land,” he said.
Brother Sammy explained that the experience marked the beginning of a series of unexpected offers from people interested in buying his vehicles. Interestingly, he had not advertised any of the cars for sale.
“There was no sign on the cars that suggested they were for sale. Every time I went to bed I’d be thinking about the old man who gave me that advice,” he recalled.
After disposing of five vehicles, the musician decided to visit the elderly man to express his gratitude. His first two attempts proved unsuccessful, but he eventually managed to find him.
By then, the elderly man was already aware that Brother Sammy had started selling his cars and encouraged him to continue with the decision.
“You have done very well. I can see you’re selling the cars; you listened to my advice. Well done. We will sell all the cars and remain with two, and when those two are left, come back and look for me,” he recounted.
Moved by the impact of the man’s counsel, Brother Sammy said he presented him with an envelope containing some of the proceeds from the vehicles he had sold as a gesture of appreciation.
The musician said the encounter went beyond changing his attitude towards money and material possessions. It also influenced how he relates to people, particularly the elderly and those who may be overlooked in society.
“The reason why, when I see older people and even mentally challenged people, I humble myself for them is all because of that old man. You just don’t know who is going to help you,” he stated.
