September 6
The Cost
of Easy Money
"Money gained in the wrong way disappears. But money gathered little by little grows."
Proverbs 13:11 (NIrV)
Nora stretched out on the warm sand, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filling her ears. The golden sunset painted the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink. This was the dream—the reason she had taken a year off from her studies to travel the world. She had seen breathtaking places, met fascinating people, and experienced freedom like never before. But now, her bank account was nearly empty, and the reality of her situation was sinking in fast.
As she sipped from a coconut, she noticed a man nearby watching her. He had the easy confidence of someone who belonged in places like this—tanned, stylish, and charismatic. When he approached her, his smile was warm.
"You're not from around here, are you?" he asked.
Nora laughed. "That obvious?"
They chatted for a while, his charm making her feel at ease. He introduced himself as Miguel, a local businessman. He spoke of his travels, his connections, and the opportunities that came with knowing the right people. Then, as the sun dipped lower, he leaned in slightly.
"You know, I might have a way for you to make some quick cash," he said casually. "Easy money, no hard work. Just take a package for me to the next country over. Nothing dangerous, just business."
Nora hesitated. The warning bells in her mind rang faintly, but desperation whispered louder. She needed money. A plane ticket, a few more months of adventure—this could solve everything.
"What’s in the package?" she asked.
Miguel shrugged. "Just personal items. You don’t even have to open it. Just deliver it, and I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of."
She should have walked away. She should have said no. But she didn’t.
The airport was bustling the next day as she nervously clutched the sleek black bag Miguel had given her. As she approached security, her palms grew sweaty. It’s fine. It’s nothing. Just stay calm.
But then, the officers pulled her aside. The search was quick. The moment they unzipped the bag, everything around her blurred. White powder. Plastic-wrapped bricks. The sudden shift in their expressions.
"Ma'am, you're under arrest."
Panic surged through her chest. Her legs went weak as they snapped handcuffs onto her wrists. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening.
The prison cell was cold, the walls pressing in around her. Days turned into weeks. The court proceedings were swift and unforgiving. She had been caught smuggling drugs, and no one believed she hadn’t known. Miguel had vanished. The "easy money" had cost her everything—her freedom, her future.
One night, lying on the hard cot, she whispered into the darkness, "God, if You're real, help me. I don’t know what to do."
A fellow inmate, a woman who had been there much longer, overheard her. She handed Nora a small, worn Bible. "Start here," she said simply.
Nora flipped through the pages, her fingers trembling, until her eyes landed on Proverbs 13:11: "Money gained in the wrong way disappears. But money gathered little by little grows."
Tears blurred her vision. She had wanted quick money, an easy way out. But in chasing that, she had lost everything. She saw now that real success, real stability, was built slowly, honestly. She had ignored the warnings in her heart, pushed aside the uneasy feeling, and now she was paying the price.
But maybe this was not the end. Maybe God was showing her something in the wreckage of her choices.
And so, she began to pray. To read. To hope.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I have chased after easy paths, ignoring the warnings You placed in my heart.
I have trusted the wrong things, the wrong people, instead of seeking wisdom from You.
Please forgive me. Teach me patience, honesty, and the value of working for what is right.
Help me rebuild my life with integrity and trust in You alone.
Thank You for Your mercy, even in my darkest moments. I choose to follow You from this day forward and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
