What would YOU have done in this situation?

The NexBF gave this manila envelope to my friend to give to me. Today I brought it to my counselor and opened it. Inside was a check for $7,000 and this note:

"Hope all is well with you and your family. This is about something I was thinking for quite some time but I never had the opportunity to do. I am aware that our breakup caused you not only emotional but also financial distress. I understand that leaving residency temporarily deteriorated your financial situation I also remember that apart from your educational loans you had a loan with a commercial bank. As you are aware these loans are particularly tricky (sometimes disastrous) since interest rates accumulate fast making payments harder and harder. With this is mind I was wondering if you will accept a modest amount of money that can serve as a down payment which can alleviate part of the loan burden I wish I had more to offer but this is all I currently have. I really hope you will accept this money- if you don't just trash the check, please do not send me any angry emails! Please do not try to read too much into this gesture. I am not trying to buy your forgiveness or anything, it just feels like something i wanted to do. In conclusion, I do hope with all my heart that you will accept it and that maybe it will be helpful even in a small way. Again, hope all is going well."

I imagined finding that sum of money on the street, winning it, or earning it. In those instances, I would happily deposit it into my bank account or give it to charity or friends. I even tried to reason why I might do that in this case as well. If all he can wave around in the world is money, I might as well put it to good use, right? I can't do it, though. That money is tainted. It was NOT given to me in the context of caring and concern. How ironic that he makes the unsolicited remark, "I'm not trying to buy your forgiveness"... A bad sign, like when he said, "I'm not an asshole, I'm a good person." I refuse to give him an ego stroke and reward bad behavior. He deserves no positive or negative attention, and I deserve my dignity.

Money is not the answer. It may be necessary, but it is never sufficient. It is an end, but not the means. Money is only useful in the context of love (for self and others), integrity curiosity, and creativity. These are the ingredients of an internal locus of control, without which happiness and freedom are elusive. This quote says it all: “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”

Just curious though...what would you have done? Has anyone ever been in a position like this?

Hugs,
Janaki