In recent years, accounting scandals have sent several large corporations into economic tailspins. Some prestigious accounting firms have misstated corporate wealth to inflate stock prices for personal profit. These corporate fraud cases have involved billions of dollars. Several leading figures have been convicted of crimes, and now they are spending time in prison. This lack of accounting integrity has led many investors to loose confidence in the stock market. There is no replacement for integrity and honesty when it comes to accounting practices. No amount of business acumen, finesse with numbers, or "creative" techniques can substitute for accounting integrity.

Before you loose confidence in all accountants, I would introduce you to one accountant with the highest integrity whose accounting is absolutely faultless. You need to know his accounting whether or not you invest in the stock market. His accounting practice is international in scope and unlimited by the constraints of time. Into his accounting records he has recorded not only the financial dealings, but the thoughts, intentions, and acts of every person who has ever lived. The One who keeps these accounts is the omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (always present) God. Each person is ultimately and individually responsible to him for all their deeds.

He has told us in his holy word that all men are sinners. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Sin may be trivial in the sight of many; but, in the sight of God, it is grave indeed. It has solemn and far reaching consequences. "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) Death is not only the separation of the soul and body, but it is also the separation of the soul from God for all eternity.

God's word says that you are a sinner and in danger of eternal ruin. Don't deceive yourself into thinking you have never sinned when he has plainly said otherwise. By giving a false account of yourself and your life, you are perpetrating a fraud and a scandal that have eternal consequences. Unless you see yourself as a bankrupt sinner, you will never see your need of the Savior who gave his life at Calvary. It is only by an absence of integrity that any person can claim to be perfect when all their righteousness is as filthy rags.