As my grandfather once said, “I hate thievin’!” Or “He is as crooked as a barrel of snakes!” He was describing not only those who steal money but also the sneaky, untrustworthy, dishonest folks who freely walk among us.
Years ago, someone came into my office and stole checks from the back of my company’s checkbook. I didn’t notice they were missing until my payment to the IRS bounced.
Fear gripped me as I quickly drove to the bank. Sure enough, a gang of crooked snakes threw me into a tailspin. They forged my name, emptied my bank account, and slithered on down the road. The bank refunded my money, the IRS didn’t put me in jail, but the gang just kept right on stealing, unable to be found in their hibernation holes.
Con artists and scammers cause significant problems for hardworking people trying to provide for their families, often by escaping accountability for their actions. Law enforcement agencies typically lack the resources to pursue all these deceitful individuals since they don’t inflict physical harm. Given their limited staffing, it is understandable that violent crimes are a priority.
Those who “get away”
However, what type of destruction can swindlers cause? For the working family living paycheck to paycheck and trying to pay their monthly bills honestly, the devastation that evil causes can upend lives.
How does one lose the ability to care for others? One evil deed at a time will cause the death of a soul.
Companies that “get away with” misleading clients, profit from misinformation, and rely on fine print are no better than the other inhabitants of the barrel.
I live in a community of cluster homes where the houses are approximately 20 feet apart. A year ago, we experienced a severe hailstorm with hailstones the size of golf balls that battered our homes. Our community became the epicenter of the storm and was featured on local television news. For 30 minutes, we rushed to the interior of our homes as it sounded like bullets were flying against the windowpanes.
Ice covered the green lawns, topped with branches and leaves. All the roofs had sustained damage, including the gutters and metal flashing. Roofing contractors knocked on doors, aware that many residents needed their expertise due to the storm. While most of them were genuinely looking for work, a deceitful person was lurking among them. That lowly reptile crawled away with almost half a million dollars.
After one year, most homes have new roofs due to their insurance companies. However, some homeowners, who experienced the same hailstorm, were denied coverage.
I find it both amusing and somewhat sad that hail seemed to fall exclusively on those with one insurance company, while it clearly avoided those insured by another. Have you ever seen rain, snow, or hail bypass houses based on their insurance coverage?
Ill-begotten gain
A recent exposé by the Wall Street Journal revealed that denial rates at certain insurance companies have risen over the past decade. Despite homeowners paying high premiums for coverage, nearly 50% of claims are closed without payment. While I won’t name the companies that are not fulfilling their claims responsibilities, it’s easy to find this information with a quick search.
While the catastrophic damage from severe weather and fires has led to increased insurance claim payouts, it does not excuse the unfair practices of many companies and the impact on American lives.
Tall towers of glass looming over a city can become a barrel of snakes.
The constant advertising on the internet enticing us to buy American clothing made in China, the fraudulent credit card companies requesting our personal information, and the hackers who steal our identities should all face jail time. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough prison space to accommodate all the non-murderous, yet malicious individuals out there.
The only protection we have is ourselves. We must educate ourselves, conduct research, read the fine print, and safeguard against pure greed. Before hiring a contractor, make sure to check their credentials. Verify licenses, ask for recommendations, and examine their previous work. Don’t learn the hard way that snakes cannot build or repair anything properly.
Guard against greed by reviewing insurance companies’ payout percentages. Be cautious of misleading advertisements and appeals. How often have these companies appeared before Congress or in court for unfair or bad faith practices?
Yes, there are many thieves in the world. Some live in mansions, while others reside in alleys. Some hold high positions of power, while others reject authority altogether. However, they all share a common trait: the profits they deceitfully acquire will ultimately leave them with nothing.
My grandfather was an honest man, and when he died, I knew exactly where he went. You see, heaven isn’t filled with barrels of snakes.
“What will profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26