There's a Madoff and Achan In All of Us
I have a habit of watching CNN, CNBC, MSNBC quite a bit. During the past few weeks there's been a lot of coverage of the $50B theft of Bernard Madoff. If you haven't paid as much attention as I have or have managed to avoid all this coverage, Madoff basically stole $50B from a bunch of people (plain language). So of course we all can talk about how terrible that is, how corrupt that is, how unbelievable to think that someone can do such a thing. But in reality is it?????
Today as I sat in church service, the pastor preached on the book of Joshua Chapter 7 verses 7-15. While his whole sermon reached beyond these verses and well into Chapter 8, the story was clear. Israel defeated the army of Jericho (a rather large one) but lost the following battle to the smaller army of Ai. From the battle of Jericho, God instructed Israel to not keep anything they found from the battle of Jericho but to submit to him as tithing. Well Achan from Israel decided not to listen and took Gold, Silver, Garments (furs, etc in today's language) and hid them in his tent. So God punished Israel for stealing goods that did not belong to them. I'm sure you may be thinking if it were you there's no way you'd disobey and did what Achan did, much like Madoff.
1st Point: Madoff and Achan are exactly the same.
The reality is, are any of us any different from Madoff or Achan? Think about it, have you ever been given authority over $50B or a city's collection of precious gold, silver, material? I'm talking unlimited authority. Chances are you have not. But you have been given authority of opportunities that require the same level of integrity. I would go ahead and list all of the potential opportunities that we have daily (a teller who miscounted, taking more time for lunch/breaks, leaving early/coming late for work, etc.) but that would take quite a bit of time.
Results: Associates of Madoff killed themselves, Madoff's fate is yet to be decided. Achan was executed for his misdeeds. So clearly acting at a certain level of deceit causes death-Physically, but what do we do to ourselves spiritually when we do it regularly.
2nd Point: Can any of us really condemn Madoff or Achan?
You tell me. I'd like to get your thoughts.
Today as I sat in church service, the pastor preached on the book of Joshua Chapter 7 verses 7-15. While his whole sermon reached beyond these verses and well into Chapter 8, the story was clear. Israel defeated the army of Jericho (a rather large one) but lost the following battle to the smaller army of Ai. From the battle of Jericho, God instructed Israel to not keep anything they found from the battle of Jericho but to submit to him as tithing. Well Achan from Israel decided not to listen and took Gold, Silver, Garments (furs, etc in today's language) and hid them in his tent. So God punished Israel for stealing goods that did not belong to them. I'm sure you may be thinking if it were you there's no way you'd disobey and did what Achan did, much like Madoff.
1st Point: Madoff and Achan are exactly the same.
The reality is, are any of us any different from Madoff or Achan? Think about it, have you ever been given authority over $50B or a city's collection of precious gold, silver, material? I'm talking unlimited authority. Chances are you have not. But you have been given authority of opportunities that require the same level of integrity. I would go ahead and list all of the potential opportunities that we have daily (a teller who miscounted, taking more time for lunch/breaks, leaving early/coming late for work, etc.) but that would take quite a bit of time.
Results: Associates of Madoff killed themselves, Madoff's fate is yet to be decided. Achan was executed for his misdeeds. So clearly acting at a certain level of deceit causes death-Physically, but what do we do to ourselves spiritually when we do it regularly.
2nd Point: Can any of us really condemn Madoff or Achan?
You tell me. I'd like to get your thoughts.
I agree that Madoff and Achan are cut from the same cloth. I also believe that both should be condemned for their actions. There are millions of people everyday who conduct themselves with moral and spiritual integrity. We may not hear about all the customers who corrected the cashier that was about to give them extra change or the person who turned in a lost wallet. Failing to punish Madoff is a mistake and a poor reflection on this society.
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