As Always, Money Talks

 Email This Post  Print This Post

Not too long after things were being revealed about the troubles in Tiger Woods’ personal life, a friend of mine posted a plea on Facebook to all of us pastors who are hungry for poignant illustrations to use in our Sunday sermons.  His plea was for us of the ‘revered fraternity’ to not exploit someone else’s family problems for our own message material. 

My friend would be happy to know that I followed his advice, as I understood totally what he was talking about.  Besides, would any of us want to have our dirty laundry aired out for public consumption or as an object lesson?  I don’t think so.

Unfortunately, this mindset isn’t shared by everyone.  I was, and am, amazed at how many young ladies are all of a sudden coming out of the woodwork at this time, claiming that they have had a relationship of one sort or another with the world’s greatest golfer. 

All of this began with news that Tiger Woods had gotten into a car accident.  And then it moved to speculation about marital unrest between Woods and his wife, Elin.  The situation continued to balloon with allegations that the basis of the unrest was Woods’ supposed extramarital activity (or activities).  Lately, the number and details as to how far Woods may have gone have been made public, left for society at large to speculate and pass judgement.

As has been duly noted by the media, infidelity isn’t a new thing with the rich and famous (and it’s probably not a new thing period, as horrible as that is to consider).  Bill Clinton’s image and presidency was somewhat tarnished when he and Monica Lewinsky engaged in inappropriate conduct with one another.  David Letterman came clean earlier this year with the results of his flirtations with staff members of his show.  The list goes on and everyone from NewYork Yankees player Alex Rodrigues, to pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, to actor Jude Law, has found themselves either the victim or victimizer when it comes to having their marriage compromised by ‘outside interference.’  If anything, it would appear that the criticism that Woods is facing is not based on his fallibility, but moreso the way that he chose to address - or not address - what appears to be a disintegrating relationship with his wife.

I think what really gets me, though, is the timing of all of these ladies coming out and making the claim that they, too, had been with Tiger Woods.  Why didn’t they come out sooner before everything became spectacularized?  Why didn’t they choose to handle this differently?  Why didn’t they choose to handle it privately?

I don’t see any other reason than money.  Or the love of it.

If all of these ladies are right, Woods is clearly wrong, and there is no getting around that.  Some would even argue that he deserves all of the public weight that he now will have to carry with him for the rest of his career.  His image has been forever changed and it may be awhile before he is able to retrieve what he has lost (maybe as long as the next tournament win, but who knows…)

What is really uncomfortable, however, is the willingness that others have on preying on the woes of others.  Pictures of these ladies who have been acting as mistresses have been given to US magazine, and these people seem oblivious, clueless, or just simply callous as to how this is effecting any of the Woods’ family, much less his wife and children.  I read yesterday that there is even a possibility that pictures of Wood in ‘his birthday suit’ may be making the rounds and coming to a magazine near you!

The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10), and if we can’t see that from this sorry event in Tiger Woods’ life, I don’t think we ever will.   

I guess the question really is, is it worth the bucks to kick someone when they’re down?  Or is this some kind of payback (pardon the pun)?

Who really knows?  We can only hope for the best for everyone involved.  Events such as these can serve to really destroy people, probably more than we realize.  Things like this always leave a mark.  We can only hope, for Tiger’s sake, and for anyone else who has gone down this road, that in some way, shape or form, real redemption can be found.

Comments

• Search for:

• Event Calendar

  September 2010

  M	T	W	T	F	S	S
  		1	2	3	4	5
  6	7	8	9	10	11	12
  13	14	15	16	17	18	19
  20	21	22	23	24	25	26
  27	28	29	30	EC

  « Aug

  Oct »

• Join Our Mailing List

  Email Address :

   Loading...