The Temptation of Wealth
Good morning. I’m writing this in the late afternoon, but I know many of you start your day with these devotionals—so welcome. Today, we’ll be reading Jeremiah chapters 45 through 48.

There’s a lot about modern life that I love, and a few things that drive me crazy. Social media, for instance, is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it allows me to reach people across the globe. I always imagined doing mission work, but with a spinal cord injury and at my age, traveling to foreign lands isn’t practical. Still, I’ve made friends in Europe, Asia, and Africa who read these devotionals. Sharing the gospel worldwide is a blessing—even if I wish I had more time to connect with each of them.

But then there’s the dark side: spam, scams, and the occasional hustle. I get messages from women trying to lure me in, and I always respond the same way—I’m married, I’m a preacher, and I’m not interested. Israel committed adultery through idolatry. When you write about it as often as I do, you learn not even to entertain the thought.

The financial scams are even worse. They prey on people who feel like Baruch in Jeremiah 45:3:
“Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.” (NIV)
Many of us are on their last thread, and desperation leads us to poor decisions. On top of that, we’re trained to feel entitled, always seeking more. But God’s message is simple:
“Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them.” (Jeremiah 45:5, NIV)
Though the author didn’t write this verse about greed, it speaks to the root of idolatry—discontentment. People chase wealth because they’re unhappy with what they have.

Consider this: in 2024, an estimated $51 billion flowed into illicit crypto wallets, with $2.2 billion stolen through direct theft. Over 60 Americans lost $2.8 billion to crypto scams that same year. Financial institutions are now required to file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to flag these schemes, including the notorious “pig butchering” scam, where fraudsters build trust online and convince victims to invest in fake crypto platforms.

Jeremiah 48:6–7 warns:
“Flee! Run for your lives; become like a bush in the desert. Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive.” (NIV)
When people ask me about these financial crises, I remind them: I’m not focused on money. Jesus said,
“You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NIV)
This is just the latest form of idolatry. In 2023, the FBI received over 69,000 complaints involving crypto-related fraud, with losses exceeding $5.6 billion—from investment scams. In early 2025, people reported 30,000 investment scams, which cost consumers $1.5 billion, including $472 million lost to crypto scams. Cryptocurrency is now the second-largest payment method for scams, after bank transfers.

I’m no financial expert, and I wouldn’t suggest you take investment advice from me. My purpose is to help you avoid becoming a victim. Don’t fall into that pit. Jeremiah 48:44 says:
“Whoever flees the terror will fall into the pit; whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare.” (NIV)
Once you’re desperate enough to chase quick fortunes, you often end up poorer than before—and recovery is harder. I’ve lost almost everything I had, but I never lost my love for God. Just as He promised the people of Moab, He restored my fortunes.

If you experienced a scam or you’re going through a rough season, know this: God has not forgotten you. This is a time to develop perseverance. I know it’s difficult, but praise God even in the storm.
Tomorrow, we will read Jeremiah 49-50
Citations

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. Jeremiah 45:3, 45:5, 48:6–7, 48:44; Matthew 6:24.

Chainalysis. Crypto Crime Report 2024. https://www.chainalysis.com/reports/crypto-crime-2024/..

Federal Bureau of Investigation. IC3 Annual Report 2023. https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf.

Federal Trade Commission. Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2025. https://www.ftc.gov.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Advisory on Pig Butchering Scams. https://www.fincen.gov.