There is a saying that has become quite popular lately. When trying to understand why people and organizations act in the ways they do, this modern proverb is often quoted, “follow the money.” What it means is, if you look at how the financial interest of the individual or company is affected, you will see why they made the decision they made or acted as they did. Following the money concern of the party eventually leads to the revelation that their action preserves or enhances their financial position.
In the May 13th issue of Bloomberg Business Week, their “Hard Choices” column carries a statement by Jim Turley, the CEO of the accounting firm of Ernest and Young. Mr. Turley has been involved in the national board of the Boy Scouts for a number of years. He was a Boy Scout himself.
Mr. Turley explains that as a board member he had felt for years and said so in board communications that the Boy Scouts should end their refusal to allow homosexuals to participate in the organization. Recently the Boy Scouts governing body decided that homosexuals of scouting age could belong. Mr. Turley supported that decision. He went on to state the decision should have changed the policy even more by allowing adult homosexuals to be scout leaders. What prompted Mr. Turley to push for the change and to become a public spokesman for the change: “I came to the conclusion that the controversy (over homosexual involvement) risked damaging Ernest and Young’s Brand.”
Mr. Turley’s own statement saves us the time and effort of following the money trail. The monetary interest of his employer was foremost in his mind in reaching his decision to openly support homosexual involvement in the scouts.
The Boy Scouts organization has always stood for high moral standards and a fundamental respect for God. A number of media voices have suggested that this pro-homosexual policy will cause a split in the organization or in the alternative, a significant loss of membership. It is most likely that there will be a significant change in the Boy Scout organization that will lessen or damage the organization because “you cannot serve God and mammon”:
Matthew 6:24. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” AV
This temptation to rationalize, choosing mammon over God by using the values of humanism, is not modern or new. Humanism is the intellectual philosophy that places secular-devised values in place of absolutes. These absolutes, which are the foundation of American culture are derived from history, nature, and religious conviction. History because great civilizations that are stagnating and losing strength grasp at “new” secular values instead of solid traditions like “strong families”. Religion because it focuses society on the ordained roles of men and women. And nature because observation of nature teaches that sexual roles in higher level animals like mammals is necessary for the survival of the species (See Romans 1:20-32):
Romans 1:20-32 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Ro 1:20-32 AV)
The point of these scriptures about a society that follows such practices is prophetic. It is summarized in Romans 1:22:
Romans 1:22 “Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, or birds, or reptiles.” RSV
As Christians we need to observe what happens to the Boy Scout organization over the next few years because it will be a teaching example. The temptation of putting man’s values and monetary interest ahead of the undeniable truths of God’s word, God’s creation, and the history lessons of Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and unfortunately the collapsing western society should not be lost on those who understand God’s guide book, the Bible.
To hear the entire Sabbath service from Saturday 05/18/2013 click on the link below:
This service (broadcast from Ceres/Modesto) runs approx. 86 minutes and downloads to a file approx. 45MB in size.
Michael Lindenberg gave the sermonette: “Speaking in Tongues” (This sermonette begins at approx. 7:12 into the audio file)
Local Elder Mr.Wayne Carlson delivered the main message: “The Spirit of Man” (This sermon begins at approx. 25:47 into the audio file)
May 15, 2013
Corey Maker of the Tulsa Congregation requests prayers for his Grand Father [Bill Brown]
They have found spots on his liver and lungs which they believe are most likely Cancer–Bill Brown is in his 70’s. He has lost 20 pounds in the last 3 weeks…He also has severe pain in his left leg because of a tear at the base of his ankle. His condition is very serious–he does not have long to live. Please pray that God would lessen the pain and make him as comfortable as possible–your prayers are greatly appreciated.
Please pray for the comfort of Corey’s Grandmother Katherine, it will be very difficult when she loses her husband.
Thank you,
Corey Maker