Poor Bernie Madoff – protestors will gather to complain when a vicious serial killer is about to be executed, petitioning for mercy from those who could stay the execution. But steal our money, defraud us with claims of high return rates on our investments, and brother, there will be hell to pay when the truth comes out. Did anyone beg for mercy for Bernie? Did anyone object, “Folks, this man only stole your money. You are still alive. So you have to work a few more years than you had planned. Should his sentence be as stiff as that of a murderer”?

Here's something to think about: our hearts may indeed go out to those who were taken in by this far-reaching Ponzi scheme. Financial fraud is despicable. But what future awaits those who are the victims of spiritual fraud? I shudder to imagine the shocked look on those who discover too late the horrid truth about Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, and the countless other perpetrators of spiritual fraud. Will those taken in by the imams, the shamans, and gurus organize eternal lynch mobs in hell against them? Like Bernie's financial offers, their teachings sounded so irresistable.

And how will those feel who were taught a deficient Christianity? St Paul speaks a little-considered word about that in 1 Corinthians: “If any man builds on this foundation (Jesus Christ) using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved but only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Cor 3:12-15). How many will suffer loss because they were given inferior building materials? The sermons they heard were Jesus-lite, the Sunday School's organizing principal was “let's have fun,” the catechetical instruction they received was anything but thorough. What will they say to the pastors who cheerfully supplied them with spiritual hay and straw, when they could have given them gold, silver, or costly stones? What will they say to the pastors who laid before them dull lead instead of gold, silver, or costly stones? Parents, what will your children say to you on that Day because you supported their decision to spend more time pursuing sports than learning the catechism? Bernie's 150-year sentence may be child's play by comparison.

The book of Hebrews says, “as long as it is still 'today' ...” As long as people are alive, that which is weak can be strengthened. That which is wrong can be forgiven in Jesus Christ and corrected. I am impressed with the TV commercial where the school official stands before a class and apologies for the poor instruction previously given to the students. With all humility, might it not be good for pastors to review what and how they have taught and, where necessary, repent and ask forgiveness? “He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”