Sin Is a Lousy Investment

“For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.” (Eze 7:13 AV)

 

In the strictest of meanings, the prophet is declaring to the people of God they will not become a stronger people through their iniquity.  He is speaking of physical strength both individually and as a nation.  This is certainly true.  It takes time for this to be proven, but over years, a lifetime, or many decades of history, a person or nation will not become stronger by the means of his sin.  Rather, he will become weaker.

Most have heard of a Ponzi Scheme.  A Ponzi scheme is a business model that takes advantage of those on the bottom.  A Ponzi scheme is set up so those above investors make money while the only way investors can earn a return is to get others to invest with them.  Eventually, the scheme runs out of investors.  The higher up one is in the scheme, the more one makes.  The lower one is in the scheme, there is a chance there will be no return.  There is no real investment made.  There is often a fake company, idea, or product as the initial interest of investment.  Perhaps a miracle pill or health care product that promises something it cannot deliver.  AS Wikipedia writes, “A Ponzi scheme…is a form of fraud that lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors with funds from more recent investors.  The scheme leads victims to believe that profits are coming from legitimate business activity (e.g., product sales or successful investments), and they remain unaware that other investors are the source of funds. A Ponzi scheme can maintain the illusion of a sustainable business as long as new investors contribute new funds, and as long as most of the investors do not demand full repayment and still believe in the non-existent assets they are purported to own.” The scheme is named after Charles Ponzi.  Although the scheme was used before Mr. Ponzi, it was his scheme in the 1920s that went worldwide and involved a very substantial amount that gave the scheme its name.  The scheme eventually collapsed under its weight and his name is not tied to similar plans of fraud.

We may think our iniquity is profitable.  We may think it brings pleasure and profit.  It may for a time.  Just like Ponzi’s business plan did.  However, in the long run, the consequences of sin are greater than any short-term pleasure or return which we may realize.  Sin always weakens.  Sin never strengthens.  The verse above reminds me of someone who is obsessed with health and looks for a way to extend it, even if it may cost him his life in the long run.  It may have been beneficial at the start.  However, trying to attain something that only Jesus can provide only hastens the destruction.  Sin is serious.  Sin is the reason we have death.  Sin does not build up, it destroys.  Sin is a short-term investment that eventually sends the investor to the poor house.