Saturday, September 19, 2026
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).
If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?
Once, I asked a local religious leader about an infamous clergyman in his denomination who had recently cheated parishioners out of millions of dollars. He had enjoyed a life of opulence in a mansion and was now under investigation for personally spending that money meant for charity. The local religious leader with whom I was conversing expressed no disapproval or disgust (perhaps he was guilty of the same?!), but retorted sarcastically, “I wish ___ would give up his mansion!” He named a notorious false teacher whom he had wrongly assumed I supported, so, imagine his utter shock and absolute silence once he heard my sudden answer: “I wish he would, too!” Beloved, let it be distinctly understood that pointing fingers at one extortionist in no way diminishes or pardons the transgressions of another. Both are avaricious charlatans, and, one day, both will stand before Almighty God to account for every last penny they embezzled “in the name of Jesus.”
Early in my ministry, a young preacher related an interesting story to me. Several years before, he had grown up in a church where their pastor had been involved in underhanded bookkeeping just before retiring and moving far away. Incidentally, a few years later, I went to a Bible conference at that same building—and the retired pastor was a guest speaker. Walking in the parking lot, I noticed he was driving a very expensive vehicle. My mind wondered if that high-priced car had been purchased with the money he was accused of pilfering! After listening to his sermons and reading his books, I realized he should have spent more time studying and believing sound Bible doctrine than indulging in the sins of the flesh. He had taken some extremely bizarre positions, and deceived me for a short time.
When preaching on giving, a pastor friend of mine mentioned how there were people in the room who wanted to give to God’s work, but could not because they were too much in debt (having spent all their money on sin/Satan). Of course, at the other extreme is people who can give but give nothing because of worldly-mindedness. Frankly, in light of eternity, both categories are most foolish….
333 Words of Grace 