Have You Forgiven Those Who Have Taken Advantage Of You?

Walking In God’s Favor: But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. Mark 11:25 (TLB)

To Make Errors In Life is Human, To Forgive Errors in Life Is Spiritual

In our society people will take advantage of  your trust. They will scheme, swindle and fraudulently go after your wealth. People like Bernard Lawrence Madoff, have made money their God. They have no problem lying, cheating and ripping you off, if it puts money into their pockets. They knowingly take advantage of their influence, power, and wealth.

Bernard Lawrence Madoff was a convicted scammer and con artist who ran the world’s largest Ponzi scheme. He was a former chairman of the NASDAQ stock market before being revealed as the operator of the largest financial fraud in history, worth about $64.8 billion.

Madoff pleaded guilty in March 2009 to securities fraud and other charges, saying he was “deeply sorry and ashamed.” A judge sentenced him to a 150-year prison term and issued a forfeiture order stripping Madoff of all his personal property, including real estate, investments, and $80 million in assets. He died in prison April 14, 2021 at the age of 82.

Forgiveness Does Not Change the Past, But it Does Enlarge the Future

Level 4 Stewards practice the spiritual principle of forgiveness.  They have personally experienced the transformational power of forgiveness in their own lives and extend that kind of forgiveness to others.  When someone takes advantage of you, your faith can restore your loss in many ways. As you release the anger, bitterness, resentment, and hostility you begin to feel empathy, compassion, and the spiritual power of God’s love.

To Forgive Is To Set A Prisoner Free, And Discover That The Prisoner Was You

Forgiveness is not a option for the Level 4 Steward. They extend grace to others, learn from the experience, and move on with their life’s mission. You can only experience this kind of forgiveness when you are connected to the Source of forgiveness. We will close this post with a quote from Billy Graham  ” Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness.”

Prayer of Blessings: Lord teach us to forgive.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of the podcast Better Husband Father Man hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is a financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency  and the past-president of the  Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association. Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. She is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the International Pathfinder Club; a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 3 decades and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook “Stewardship of Wealth”.