BREAD OF DECEIT

Date: 23/04/25

Christian Treasures Daily Devotional

Topic: BREAD OF DECEIT

Anchor Scripture: Proverbs 20:17 KJV: “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward, his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”

A few days ago, in my country, investors in an online investment platform were shaken by the sudden collapse of CBEX. This platform has attracted many investors, and now people are in shock, struggling with the aftermath of this event. Some individuals have even been hospitalized due to emotional stress. Everyone is discussing what might happen next.

CBEX (Crypto Bridge Exchange) was more than an investment opportunity; it was a Ponzi scheme disguised as a great financial opportunity. It promised quick profits that seemed too good to be true, attracting many eager investors. The scheme used polished documents to appear legitimate and hired social media influencers to promote itself. To increase its credibility, the creators spent money on fancy office spaces in prime locations and hosted flashy seminars that attracted hopeful participants. As the saying goes, “bread of deceit” can seem sweet, but in this case, the promise of quick profits has left many investors with a bitter experience.

In the end, a staggering 1.3 trillion naira (over $800 million) was lost, causing immense pain for many. Although some of the perpetrators have been arrested, many people remain skeptical about the recovery of lost funds.

What is a Ponzi Scheme?

A Ponzi scheme is an investment that claims to double your profit in a very short time. It operates as a pyramid network, where new subscribers’ funds are used to pay supposed profits, bonuses, and dividends to earlier investors. It's all a web of deception.

As I read about these events on social media, a comment from one particular man caught my attention. He said, “I thank God my wife didn’t hear about it; she would have participated. Although she lost money in the past to a Ponzi scheme, she would have justified this one as genuine because of the publicity it received.”

Let’s reflect on today’s devotion that the Lord should deliver us from the bread of deceits around us in Jesus name amen . We continue our discussion tomorrow as we meditate on these Bible passages:

Micah 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 6:9-10.