Hello ,
The Ponzi Scheme. Most people have probably heard the phrase, but many do not realize that this incredible form of swindling money from another human being actually took it's name from Charles Ponzi, a man who lived in the early 20th century.
Don't try this at home, but here's how the Ponzi scheme basically works. An investor is approached and offered an opportunity to finance a particular project with the promise of a favorable return. Another investor is located, and another promise of favorable interest is made to him. That person's money is then used to pay back the first person along with the favorable interest promised.
And so it goes, on and on. When the first investor gets back the money with interest, he immediately desires to invest even more. The "buzz" that is eventually created by all the money-making activity, gets increased numbers of people involved in the action. Eventually, the person who is running the scheme walks away with large sums of cash and leaves everyone who put their trust in him out in the proverbial cold.
Level of Trust in the Beginning
What makes this scheme so incredibly successful is the level of trust that is built at the beginning. This created trust creates word-of-mouth buzz, and that's what causes other people to want to be involved by investing their hard earned cash. That's precisely why people lose so much in the process. It's crooked, it's cold, and it's illegal.
There's a spiritual Ponzi scheme going on right now and people everywhere are falling for it. The basic idea is about the same; stay busy, work hard, party hard, and disregard spiritual things. The erroneous evil promise is that life will somehow get better if you do. However, the eternal implications are much more devastating than just losing your home and all your money.
Check out this potent verse of scripture; "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for this stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way of life--to God!--is vigorous and requires total attention" (Matthew 7:13). (The Message)
Following the crowd and believing the lies about what it takes to achieve the so called "good-life" are overrated. We're warned not to fall for the lie. Only God has the answers to what it means to live a life of peace and contentment, both here and in the "here-after.
Have a great day and God bless!
