Forty-four-year-old British multimillionaire Jonathan Burrows was a man
who had it made.
Working as a managing director for the BlackRock
banking system, Burrows had a fine home in the country and a job that
would make most people envious. Of course, that home in the country
meant Burrows had to commute by train to his office.
Being a
creative sort, Burrows figured out a way around the system. He would get
on the train at an unmanned rural station outside London. Since he
didn't buy a ticket, he saved himself about $20 a day in train fees. It
was a fine plan until, one day, a ticket inspector figured out what he
was doing.
Burrows was reported, and he settled out of court with
the train company. The settlement had him pay $65,000, the total amount
for the fees he had avoided over the years.
But there's more to
the story of Jonathan Burrows' fall from favor.
Britain's
Financial Conduct Authority reviewed his case and decided that his
"conduct fell short of the standards we expect." They added, "Approved
persons must act with honesty and integrity at all times and where they
do not, we will take action."
Their action said Burrows was
banned from ever working again in the financial services industry.
Burrows' "small, little sin" had cost him his reputation, some cash, and
employment in a good position. It was a terrible penalty to pay and one
which neither Burrows -- nor anyone else -- is likely to forget.
The story of Burrows is one which ought to sound pretty familiar to us.
Think of Adam and Eve. All they did was bite down on one, small,
piece of forbidden fruit. From our perspective it was a small sin, an
almost inconsequential transgression. But to the Lord, Adam and Eve's
disobedience was far more. They had shown they disregarded Him, rejected
His authority, and His benevolence.
Think of ourselves. There are
times when we, looking at some of the really big, serious sinners in
this world, may think we're not so very bad. "Certainly," we say to
ourselves, "the Lord isn't going to hold us accountable for such a
trivial transgression."
Well, the Lord does hold us accountable.
James lets us know that one sin is enough to make the perfect Lord
upset. It is enough for the just Judge to declare us, "Guilty."
This is precisely why we need the Savior. There is no person so good he
doesn't need Jesus -- no person so bad that Jesus can't help him. Yes,
we need the Savior who, having given His life as the price to procure
our forgiveness, welcomes us to Him and promises all who believe they
have been given eternal life.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give
thanks You have had mercy upon the big and little sinners of the world.
Grant that my life may be lived in a way that tries to please and
glorify the Savior whose substitution has forgiven me. In Jesus' Name I
ask it. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
