On November 11, 2005, I witnessed a display of greed, complacency, and the old adage “money talks”. During this experience I observed that money only talks because people allow it-people encourage it-to do so. Although one expects to see greed running rampant among non-Christians, and most Christians openly condemn the high level of importance given to money within modern society, the flagrant rapacity I saw did not take place among nonbelievers. It happened in DBU’s chapel.

When Bo Pilgrim came to speak the day before Thanksgiving, most of the students who attended received a gift of twenty dollars. A small group, for whatever reason (maybe they ran out; I don’t know) did not get money, however. Many people included in this faction responded in surprisingly bad taste. Some expressed extreme anger that they did not leave chapel with money in their hands, as though they were somehow owed money by Bo Pilgrim or DBU. Instead of recognizing and appreciating the actions of a benevolent man attempting to execute a kind gesture, these students acted as though twenty dollars had been stolen from them. Please, students of DBU, act with more consideration and class the next time you are found in a similar situation. Resist the urge to exhibit jealousy and rage when you find that others have received a gift which you have not; rather, share in the joy of your brothers and sisters who did receive.

The majority of students who did leave this chapel with twenty more dollars in their pockets acted no better. Pilgrim used his opportunity to speak to work in his political views and a few inappropriate, hurtful insults against those with certain political leanings. When I brought this to the attention of several students, most of them said the same thing: “Well, he gave me twenty dollars; he can say whatever he wants.” He referred to people who believe President Bush may have lied about his justification for entering into war as “cruel” and “evil”. No doubt this vicious description offended more than a few DBU students. I find the toleration of his words by the students due to the involvement of money atrocious and reprehensible. I did not expect a student-led riot against Pilgrim, but I did expect students to act with a level of greater critical consciousness. His money was accepted as a bribe to tolerate his words rather than the gift he intended it to be.

Also, those students at whom his comment was aimed certainly did not overlook his words. Had he attacked a view held by the majority of that day’s chapel attendants, more people probably would have taken notice. As Christians, we must not sit idly by and watch the rights and beliefs of others trampled upon. To remain indifferent to an unkind word because it is not directed at us certainly does not reflect the love of Christ.

Does twenty dollars give one a right to insult whomever he or she chooses? Would a greater amount make it alright for one to murder a small village? My complaint in this article is not primarily against Pilgrim’s statements, it is against the complacent attitude demonstrated by many students and Christians due at least in part to the involvement of money in the situation. When our Lord has warned us not to let money rule us (1 Timothy 6:10, Luke 6:13, 1 Timothy 3:2-3, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Peter 5:2), why do we continue to let it? I wonder if more students would have taken notice of and formed opinions on Pilgrim’s comments had they not been made twenty dollars richer during chapel.

If twenty dollars will cause a person to ignore an injustice, it is not far-fetched to imagine that a bigger sum will incite him or her to overlook graver offences than the one perpetrated in chapel. Although some may protest that this is not true, it is a general truth that one’s behavior in small matters determines one’s behavior in big matters (isn’t there a parable about this?) Students of DBU who only cared about that chapel because of the money, please do not continue in this way of thinking. Do not let money or any other promises sway you from doing what is right and from opposing that which is wrong.

Pilgrim most likely did not intend his gift to be taken as a bribe. Please, students of DBU, do not forsake discernment and wisdom for the sake of a few bucks.

“Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 8:10-11