I was in between jobs when I was introduced to a man who was starting a
business and needed people like me. What I needed was a paycheck, what he got
was more than he bargained for. His business plan was to set up an Angie’s
List type of referral business, this was before Angie’s List and when the
Internet was brand new. He had a group of people who were part of his team as
he called them, and I was hired on, under the condition that when his funding
came through, which was said to be in process, I would get my back pay. It all
sounded good, or maybe too good, so I joined his team, and attended three
meetings of them, even having one at my house. But all didn’t seem to be what
it seemed to be, but being the new kid, I played along. Even becoming a key
player in many areas, which would eventually include his funding. The first
meeting was at a lady’s house for breakfast and updates, which all sounded
optimistic, and a lot of excitement filled the room. I mostly sat and listened,
never a bad thing, and all were very cordial to me, until one guy asked me “how
much you in for?” My reply stunned him, as I said I was hired, waiting for the
funding, everyone else there was an investor. Suddenly I was the odd man out,
as it soon filled the room I had invested no money. Anyone with common sense
would have left, I needed a job, or rather a paycheck, which now I became
suspicious of.
The second meeting all were agreeable to me, seems my ideas were
insightful, and I was gaining a reputation for getting things done. Again the
light should have gone on, as the so called sales manager already had his new
Mercedes picked out, others were planning vacations on the new found profits,
and a lot of talk of when and how much filled the room. I may only be an
employee, but was gaining respect, which opened up the door to the final
meeting. The night that the light came on in Del Mar....
It seems this group of investors was part of a wealth gaining club, which
had not been explained to me. For a fee, a large fee, they were shown how to
plan their dream, and see it through to completion. At the Del Mar Hilton the
final night was about to take place, and this world renowned money and business
expert was to speak. But not being a member, I could not attend the dinner or
the business meeting afterwards, but would I like to meet this celebrated man in
his room before? The top five men in the wealth club would be there, as would
the officers in this new business, and of course this financial guru, who would
meet with all of us privately. It was like going to meet the Wizard, and no one
had seen behind his curtain yet.
This business plan was based on business categories from a free paper, that
sold services and and goods, a pre-Craigslist. Based on the figures, based on
the types of business, there were almost three million potential customers, and
as the guru studied the plan for the first time, he thought it brilliant,
praised the group, and gave them, us, his blessing. Any questions.....as they
all had none, seems they had heard how great they were, and it was on to the
roast beef dinner and be recognized at the ceremonies to follow. But sitting
doing the math, I asked a few questions. One-how many businesses does it take
to make this work? Answer-a potential three million, then I asked “how many
people live in San Diego?” The guru turning to the sales manager asked, who
replied 1.5 million. It would take more businesses than there were people in
Sand Diego to make it work! The light had gone on in Del Mar, the guru exposed,
seems he was a self celebrated expert, who sold his books for a premium price at
these events, and had fallen into the trap I had unknowingly set. Exposed he
started to leave, silently, but instead the group turned on me, I was the bad
guy for exposing the truth and ruining all their dreams. No new Mercedes, no
luxurious vacations, and now no recognition at the dinner. The light had been
turned on, but instead of the rats scattering, they turned on me. I left and
never heard from any of them again. Rather than being set free by the truth,
they chose to believe the lie, not wanting to let go of their greedy dream, or
face reality. As l walked out past the dining room with all the shiny
dinnerware, I wondered how many had given over their dreams for a lie, and how
this group of men would go on. But I really wondered what would become of this
false prophet of wealth.....and where his next victims would encounter
him.
It has been over twenty yeas since that night, and I still can see the look
on the false prophets face. Men duped by their own greed, unwilling to admit
their sin and repent. They had been shown the truth, yet followed the lie
anyway. Somehow the words of Stephen as he was stoned filled my ears. “Do not
hold this against them Lord, they know not what they do.” A wonderful insight
even in his final moments, clinging to Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.
How different the faith of him was than the faith of those who opposed him. He
saw the truth, and knew the truth, and still prayed for his enemies. How many
of us would react the same way? I wish I could say I would, but I hope I never
am confronted as such, seems what we believe in and the depth of it can have
deadly results. Yet we find that someday we all will stand before God and be
accountable for our actions. That ought to scare a few of us, but knowing Jesus
can lead us to the truth, he took our place. When called, we will be found not
guilty of our sins, but still accountable for our actions after our salvation.
Like the parable of the seeds, what do we do with our life after we meet Jesus?
Do we hide him away, or throw him to the wind? Some seed on rocky ground never
grew, some was overtaken by weeds, and some got the nourishment and grew into a
strong flower. Our lives, our fruit will either bear out the spirit of God, or
the spirit of our own deception. Be careful how you choose, for even Satan can
appear as an angel of light. And without testing, we may never know him. That
night was a test for me and the others, they made their decision and I made
mine. In the face of adversity, I stood by the truth and was set free. The
others chose and were still in bondage. Sin will do that to you. But only in
Christ will you be set free.
Stephen knew that, and many other examples are given in
scripture. We all know of such people or may even be one. Only by being tested
will our true spirit be revealed, and it will only be our decision on how, or
who to choose. Only in Jesus can we find trust, he broke all the shackles on
us, even the invisible ones that weigh us down. “Seek ye first the kingdom of
God” he says, “then all other things will be added unto you.” God greeted
Stephen with open arms, his momentary pain replaced by joy and heaven, while the
crowd looked for their next victim. Going after the weak ones in faith, those
who choose not to believe. Even the demons believe in Jesus and quake at his
name, but have no chance of redemption. But we do....
So when the light goes on, where will you be? Our God Reigns,
not resigns, and Jesus wants to forgive us all today, to welcome us into his
kingdom. Where we find real wealth and our wildest dreams will pale by what he
has for us. “For eye has not seen, nor ear heard, no mind imagined the kingdom
of God.” Whatever you think it to be, it will be better. One night the light
went on in Del Mar, and some chose run to it instead of from it. Like the man
in Ecclesiastes 7, the rich man will never have enough and loses sleep worrying
about it. Making wealth to leave to others and never enjoying it. The crowd
that stoned Stephen showed no mercy, but now you know the truth and have been
set free. No more excuses.....for we know what we do. So does God.....and we
can still look to heaven and see the face of God calling to us. See you at the
celebration!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com