September 4
The Price
of Deception
"The wealth gained by lying is worthless. It is a fleeting vapor and leads to death."
Proverbs 21:6 (NIrV)
Mitch had perfected his craft over the years. A scam artist of the highest order, he had learned the art of deception with a terrifying precision. From stolen photographs to false promises, he knew exactly how to make a vacation rental look irresistible to unsuspecting families. With a few clicks, he could create the perfect fantasy—a luxurious beach house with a pool, close to the shore, and offering amenities no one could resist. Of course, none of it was true, but that didn’t stop him from posting the listing.
On a sunny afternoon, the Matthews family, excited about their long-awaited summer vacation, found Mitch's listing. The price was too good to be true—half the cost of any other rental in the area. After a brief discussion, they booked the property immediately, unable to resist the allure of such a bargain. The photos were stunning. The descriptions were enchanting. It seemed like a dream come true.
But dreams often fade upon waking.
As they arrived at the address, the excitement was palpable. The kids could already hear the ocean waves crashing in the distance, and the parents were eager to settle into their new home away from home. But as they turned the corner, the house that was supposed to be theirs was nowhere in sight. Instead, they found an abandoned lot—overgrown with weeds, with no signs of life. They stood there in disbelief, staring at the empty space where their dream vacation was supposed to begin. The phone calls and emails Mitch had promised would be answered went straight to voicemail.
It was only when they approached a neighboring property that they learned the truth: the house had been abandoned for years. The owner of the neighboring property, who had lived there for decades, had seen dozens of families show up over the years, only to walk away disheartened when they realized they’d been swindled.
Anger and disappointment overwhelmed the Matthews family. The children, looking forward to swimming in the pool and playing in the sand, began to cry. The parents, now scrambling for an alternative place to stay, searched for nearby hotels that could accommodate them at the last minute. It wasn’t ideal, but they had no choice.
That night, as they sat in a cramped hotel room, the parents couldn’t help but feel the weight of what had happened. They had worked so hard to save up for this vacation, only for it to be stolen from them by someone who had no conscience. Mitch’s actions, driven by greed, had turned their dream into a nightmare. As the father, Tom, tried to comfort his children, he felt a deep frustration—there was no way to undo the harm Mitch had caused.
Tom’s mind wandered to a deeper, quieter place, the hurt giving way to a sense of reflection. He thought of Proverbs 21:6, a verse he had read many times before. The wealth Mitch gained from his deceit would never satisfy him. It was fleeting—just like the illusion of paradise he had sold. All the riches in the world could never bring peace or fulfillment. What Mitch had gained would soon unravel, and he would be left with nothing.
That night, Tom said a prayer in the silence of the hotel room, with his wife and children listening. It wasn’t an angry prayer. It wasn’t a prayer of vengeance. It was a prayer for peace and understanding, for trust in God’s provision.
“Lord, I don’t know why this happened. But I know You are bigger than this disappointment. Help us find joy in what we still have. Help us remember that material things cannot bring true happiness, and that the wealth Mitch has built on lies will one day fall away. Give us wisdom to live in truth, and help us teach our children that integrity is more valuable than any price tag.”
As the family gathered together, the weight of the day’s events lifted slightly. They had each other. They had their faith. And although they weren’t on a beach in a fancy house, they knew they could still find joy in the small moments and the lessons that came with hardship.
Prayer:
Dear God,
In a world that often values material things over integrity, help us stay grounded in truth.
We pray for those who deceive and for those who have been hurt by their actions.
Give us the strength to forgive and the wisdom to seek Your peace, even in moments of disappointment.
We trust that You will provide for our needs and guide us on a path of righteousness.
Help us hold tightly to what truly matters, and teach us to treasure the values of honesty, love, and humility above all else.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
