Nougat 22

Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to spend a few moments in introspection.

“Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The problem with our current culture is that we are encouraged to live contrary to this godly ideal. Acquiring more and more and improving our status is the constant recommendation. But, we must ask, to what end? And for whose benefit? Most times, we find ourselves on a hamster’s wheel, trying to to live like or outdo the Joneses, only to find that the Joneses have moved on.

So, we scrimp and save and perhaps get into credit card debt to realize a pipe dream, only to find that the trend has passed and the debt remains. Or, without confirming that the person is truly our life partner, we take loans for the Destination Wedding. The marriage ends and the bills are still awaiting payment.

I’m truly sorry for sounding maudlin but when a group of persons systematically clean out people’s bank accounts while posing for years as bankers, I have a serious challenge. Especially when it feels like the dishonest rich continue to find ways to avoid prison, scandal or any kind of punishment. And definitely seeming to have no real remorse.

Before we complete the stone-casting trajectory however, I invite us to revisit our stories. Perhaps the bits that only a few are privy to. Of course, our challenge might not be financial, or even living like the Joneses; we might not even be rich. And we might be grappling with sins like gossip, lying, jealousy, gluttony, self control, sexual issues, murderous spirits, bullying, or lack of compassion . What then?

In God’s sight, they are equally wrong. While we might sin less since our walk with Jesus began, it doesn’t mean that we are sinless. Don’t misunderstand me, what SSL staff and others like them have done is absolutely egregious. And it’s at the heart of our nougat. But ultimately, it is better to be a sinner saved by God’s grace, than to be saved and being an obstacle to others.

Lord in Your mercy, forgive and heal.

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May all we seek be found in Christ