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Pastors Lessons

This week's lesson:

Investment Fraud - Part 3

A church is approached by an investment expert who is a former minister. He asks to speak to the congregation about a new program that he has developed, that in the past was available only to the wealthy. He personally guarantees an annual rate of return of 20%. Several members invest in the program, and the promoter uses some of the proceeds to pay "earnings" to previous investors, but uses most of the invested funds to pay for personal luxury items for himself and his family.

Lesson one week ago:

Investment Fraud - Part 2

A church raises $250,000 for its building fund but is still years away from reaching the goal specified by the congregation before construction can begin. This year the pastor meets Jon, an "investment expert," who seems very knowledgeable about investment opportunities. Jon claims that he can turn the 1% return the church is earning on its building fund in a local bank to 30% or even 50%. The pastor is skeptical at first, but begins to see Jon as an answer to prayer. The pastor is also impressed by Jon's description of a "high yield investment program" involving international banks. The pastor invites Jon to make a presentation to the church board. Jon assures the board that the investment program only involves the "top ten world banks." The board is impressed, and votes to turn over the investment of the church's building fund to Jon. Within a few months, Jon suggests that the pastor promote the investment program to members of the congregation. With the pastor's encouragement, many church members invest their own funds in Jon's program. After several months, the pastor, board, and individual investors begin to wonder when they will receive their 50% return on their investments. Jon assures them that it is only a matter of time. A year passes, and still no earnings have been reported.

Lesson two weeks ago:

Investment Fraud - Part 1

The pastor of a church meets an investment advisor who describes a new investment program that is guaranteed to produce a 25% return on investments. The pastor has the advisor meet with the church board. While at first skeptical, the board becomes more and more impressed with the advisor's knowledge and sincerity. They decide to invest the church's building fund (which amounts to $250,000) with the advisor.

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