In the United States, Ponzi schemes are illegal. Methods to "get rich quick" usually don't work. The perpetrator of these methods is trying to make money for himself. The poor investor will typically lose most or all of his capital. The Federal Trade Commission of the U.S.A. has published this statement to warn people: "Both Ponzi schemes and pyramids are quite seductive because they may be able to deliver a high rate of return to a few early investors for a short period of time. Yet, both pyramid and Ponzi schemes are illegal because they inevitably must fall apart. No program can recruit new members forever."
The Bible doesn't specifically talk about these schemes but there are some excellent scriptures about working.
First, the great Apostle Paul was a tentmaker: "and because he (Paul) was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade." Acts 18:3. We may also recall that many of Jesus's apostles were fishermen. These men worked hard to support themselves and their families.
In 2 Thessalonians 3:8-10, the Apostle Paul wrote, "nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
Why is working so important? Because God created people to reap satisfaction from doing a job and receiving a just recompense. People mature and become more responsible when they work. When fallen man has a lot of free time, many times he engages in sin. 1 Timothy 5:13, “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.” So, it’s a good thing to work for a living. Investing in Ponzi schemes is unwise and can be detrimental to a person’s character.
