The year 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of a notorious moment in baseball’s history: when the White Sox lost to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1919 World Series, producing a scandal that stained the sport’s reputation. It has been called the Black Sox scandal and has been written about in books and featured in movies.

Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were bribed to lose the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. Among the accused players was outfielder Joe (Shoeless Joe) Jackson, one of baseball’s greatest hitters. Babe Ruth, said of him, “I copied Jackson’s style because I thought he was the greatest hitter I had ever seen, the greatest natural hitter I ever saw. He’s the guy who made me a hitter.” Court records suggest the players received $70,000 to $100,000 for losing five games.

Hebrews 13 – Ethical Instructions

Personal ethics can not only ruin a team but forever stain the reputation of those involved. Though there is evidence that “Shoeless” Joe Jackson did not take the money, he was banned from baseball and might never enter the Hall of Fame. The author of Hebrews knew the internal threat to the early church was far more dangerous than the external forces. He placed particular emphasis (13:1-3) on how to treat those on board the ship. He coached them on brotherly love and hospitality. Then, he turned to personal ethical instructions on marriage and money. Nothing can destroy a team or church more quickly than a money or sex scandal.