For a Dollar More

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 11:1; James 3:5

Heinrich Friedrich Albert came to New York in 1915 ostensibly as a financial advisor to the German ambassador, Count Johanann von Bernstorff. His real purpose, however, as a spy for the Kaiser, was to keep America neutral by judiciously scattering forty million dollars on sabotage and propaganda. Personal thriftiness led to his failure. He took the nickel Sixth Avenue El to his hotel instead of a taxi, which would have cost $1.25. As he hurriedly left the El that fateful day, July 24, 1915, he thoughtlessly left behind a suitcase containing information on his vast network of contacts. The U.S. Secret Service snatched the suitcase and exposed its contents.

A small mistake, but it was disastrous for Germany. Eve made a similarly small decision in Eden, taking Satan at his word when he promised that she would not die, despite God’s warning that she would. But that is the nature of sin: it hardens us to its deceitful nature. It makes disobedience harmless and virtue treacherous. When God later queried her, she admitted, “The serpent deceived me.” She didn’t know when she ate the fruit that she would get shame, not wisdom; and knowledge, but at the cost of horrible guilt. Satan knows how to exploit our many small weaknesses in an effort to minimize our few great strengths.

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved.