Money: The Maddening of March

The NCAA and NFL:  both share the limelight of this month’s sporting headlines. From basketball “bracketology” and school bragging rights to collective-bargaining and contract negotiations to millionaire moguls to controversial cover ups to student-scholar amateurs to pre-Madonna professional athletes... 

At first glance, both organizations and their respective players are seemingly at polar opposites of the sporting spectrum and their associated missions. Yet, given further scrutiny, in reality, their worlds are much closer in nature than originally led to believe. Both are big, big, big business with billion-dollar dividends distributed annually.

In short, generally speaking, both are fashioned by finances, molded by money, and corrupted by cash. Whether it’s the revenue-seeking recruits feeling entitled to “$100 dollar handshakes” or egocentric athletes seeking greater affluence in an ever-adoring sports society, the financial chasm between collegiate athletics and professional sports is quickly closing, and is in fact connected.

The argument isn’t whether players should be paid for their services—regardless of level—the point I’m trying to make is that all of the corruption and chaos witnessed time and again in sports is in large part fueled by the LOVE of money.  The Bible clearly states that money, in and of itself, isn’t a bad thing—as it is indeed a necessity of life. But the veracity is that society has mimicked sports—openly coveting, embracing, and idolizing money—making it an end-all—and it is that that is the root of all evil.

It is my prayer that we each take to heart a lesson from Philippians:  That  whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, whether living in pestilence or in plenty, we will be content in any and every situation and season of life…regardless of money.

Editorial