Sinful Nation

Dear Brethren,

Have you noticed how pervasive lying and deceit have become in our society, especially in Big Business? The news lately is filled with stories about corruption in corporate America and cover-ups in government.

It is becoming apparent that problems like those at Enron, where accountants doctored the company’s books to make the company appear financially healthy, are a commonplace occurrence. The destruction of documents by Enron's accountants, Arthur Andersen Consulting is typical of how companies protect themselves by hiding the truth. Accusations abound of corporate insider trading, unethical investment recommendations by brokerage firms, government cover-ups, misuse of pension funds, etc. This week, even the respected TV personality and food expert, Martha Stewart is suspected of insider trading with regard to stock in her corporation.

This brings to memory an interesting story that Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong related to us about how to tell if a society is decaying from within. This story appeared in his autobiography and was reiterated in this segment of his November 2, 1972 letter to the brethren:

“In January, 1920, the well-known statistician, Roger Babson, was the speaker at one of our Association of Commerce luncheons then being held each Wednesday in the Cameo Room of the Morrison Hotel. Through the Advertising Club, a division of Chicago Association of Commerce, I had been a member of the Association for some years.

“We were then at the very height of a wave of postwar prosperity. “‘Gentlemen,’ said Mr. Babson, ‘we are about to enter the worst business depression that our generation has ever experienced. I advise you all to set your houses in order. I advise against any further plans of expansion until this depression has passed over.’

“Seated at tables in that large room were leading bankers and business executives of Chicago. I glanced around. I saw amused smirks animate the faces of many prominent men.

“Through the next few months of 1920 business activity continued its boom upswing.

“Before the end of 1920, Roger Babson’s predicted depression did strike -- with sudden and intense fury. By January 1921, we had reached and passed its lowest ebb.

“At this time Roger Babson once again was the guest speaker in the Morrison Hotel Cameo Room Association of Commerce luncheon.

“‘Well, gentlemen,’ he said, ‘you will remember that a year ago I warned you that within one year we would be in the throes of the worst depression our generation has ever seen. I noticed many of you smiling unbelievingly then. Well, that year has rolled around, and here I am again, and here is the depression with me.’

“Chicago business leaders were not smiling now. Mr. Babson then proceeded to explain why he knew what was coming and business executives did not.

“‘It is now mid-winter,’ he said. ‘If I want to know what the temperature is, now, in this room, I go to the wall and look at the thermometer. If I want to know what it has been, up to now, and the existing trend as of the moment, I look at a recording thermometer. But if I want to know what the temperature in this room is going to be, an hour from now, I go to the source which determines future temperatures -- I go down to the boiler-room and see what is happening down there.

“‘You gentlemen looked at bank clearings, indexes of business activity, freight car loadings, stock market quotations -- you looked at the thermometers on the wall; I looked at THE WAY people as a whole were dealing with one another. I looked to the SOURCE which determines future conditions. I have found that that source may be defined in terms of RIGHTEOUSNESS. When 51% or more of the whole people are reasonably righteous in their dealings with one another, we are heading into increasing prosperity. When 51% of the people become unrighteous in their business dealings with their fellows, then we are headed for BAD TIMES ECONOMICALLY!

“I have never forgotten Mr. Babson’s explanation. I hope my readers today, nearly 42 years later, may remember and profit by it, too.

Brethren, here we are, another 30 years later. We need to look past the optimistic reports of “the experts”. Yes, this country and the other Israelitish countries, may still be the most desirable, prosperous places to live. Most people have jobs who want them. New labor-saving devices are showing up on the marketplace continually. Communications have never been quicker. Our standard of living is very comfortable.

However, we get a totally different picture when we look at the ethics practiced by our peoples. From the blatant lack of morality exhibited at the head of our government in the white house by a former president to the average man on the street - it is clear that America is in a terrible decline.

"Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint." (Isaiah 1:4-5)

The indication is that these incidents such as those mentioned above about Enron, Arthur Andersen Consulting, and government cover-ups are now the rule, not the exception. These stories are not simply isolated incidences they are a definite indication of a downward trend that will eventually end in the destruction of our society. Our job, as Christians, is to buck these ungodly trends and be beacons of righteousness.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

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Sermon:

"What is Conversion"