Did Mr. Vennes know? Difficulty of standing for truth at personal cost.

      Previous articles on this blog have both chastised and apologized to Frank Vennes Junior.  However, it is time for further commentary. An article in January 10^th edition of the Star Tribune offered more information regarding  whether Mr. Vennes was aware of the fraud.  The article states that Mr. Vennes during the end of 2007 became concerned when promissory notes were not paid off. Eventually, the article reported, Mr. Vennes became aware that fraud was occurring and talk to his lawyer about it, but no one else.  The article additionally alleges that Mr. Vennes was quoted in varied warrants stating the scheme would implode if auditors and investors showed up at the warehouses where these goods were supposed to be found.  So the questions arises as to why Mr. Vennes once aware of the fraud did not bring it to light and if he was still selling the investmant.

      In thinking about that question it brings up an important question to all of us.  It appears on the surface that compromise for self gain happened. It was a resignation to the status quo which was profitable. Now, this article is not about pointing the finger at Mr. Vennes, that road already has been improperly travelled. Rather, there is a larger question for each of us. How often do we settle for what is going on around us for personal gain.  Do we resign to certain situations and circumstances because of the potential for great loss?  I think each of us are fully capable of sitting back in the midst of great fraud, because the temptation of gain is so strong.  Perhaps we excuse ourselves with rationalizations such as “It is just a little thing,” “No one will know,” “Everybody does it” and others.  If we are not rationalizing then perhaps find ways to alleviate the feelings of guilt. In essence not standing up for truth is a form of building a kingdom of self. It is far easier to resign to what is going on around us then to stand for truth and personal cost.

      We all falter at some level in standing for truth and putting ourselves first. It is part of our innate selfishness. Now, a professed believer in Jesus as Messiah who doesn’t stand for truth at personal cost is part of why those who have not accepted Jesus as Messiah scream hypocrisy, for we often say one thing and do another.  We are in a continual process of submitting to Jesus in all areas of our lives. It does not happen immediately and it a choice by choice matter. We live in a world that pushes self focus. Companies use whatever means they can to separate people from their dollar.  There are countless schemes and practices that exists in the world to focus on appearances of gain but ultimately are but deception. The more you cross a line, the harder it is to stand for what is true, because the greater personal cost.  We all can easily focus on short-term gain and appearances over the long term, and especially when it comes to a focus of life on this earth, versus what comes ahead, after death.  Christian believe that people do have life after death, and that what you did with Jesus as Messiah really answers whether you face the life ahead in God’s presences, or away from God with the ongoing torment of separation from God.