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PROGRAM D-7769
You know, money has incredible power over people, even small amounts. Fran’s coworker, Louise, must confront the dishonesty of her supervisor who is trying to be reimbursed for some expenses that are personal.
“You know,” Louise says to Fran, “it’s not like Jerry would even miss the $152, Fran. He makes plenty of money. You’d think I was talking about $152,000, the way he acts about this.”
“That’s why Jesus said you can’t serve God and Money, with a capital ‘M,'” Fran reminds Louise. “It has power over people to cause them to do all kinds of dishonest things, and often totally out of proportion to the amount.”
“You know, you’re right,” Louise says. “I remember last week I was filling out an expense account and I was really tempted to put down a meal cost even though I’d eaten at a friend’s house, since the company would never know. I had to force myself not to do it, because I wanted to pick up the extra $15.”
“Oh, it’s happened to me many times,” Fran says, “and I haven’t always done the right thing. But now I stop and ask myself: ‘Fran, are you willing to interrupt your relationship with Jesus for $15—or whatever measly amount it is?’ And I think of Judas Iscariot; his price was 30 pieces of silver.”
“I guess I can’t be too hard on poor Jerry,” Louise says. “After all, if it weren’t for Jesus, I’m sure I’d do the same thing. And even with Jesus, I’m tempted to cheat for a few measly dollars.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Fran agrees. “You know, Louise, we didn’t pray for Jerry. We should.”
And with that, they stop to pray for Jerry, for his salvation, for his family, and for a change of his heart to be willing to do the right thing.
“I think I need to be prepared to give Jerry an answer as to why I refuse to do what he has asked me to do, don’t you?” Louise asks, and they talk about how Louise can explain her actions without sounding preachy or dumping condemnation on Jerry.
Louise leaves late, and as Fran wearily prepares for bed, she says to Jesus, “I’m tired, but that was time well spent, Lord.”
Jesus assures her that this time with Louise has fortified her for what she faces tomorrow.
“But of course,” Fran says to herself, “the fears and doubts will attack her again tomorrow. The enemy won’t give up this easily. I must remember to remind her tomorrow that greater is he that is in her than he that is in the world,” Fran says as she puts her head on the pillow.
