Confronting Corruption

Richard King

• Publisher: Regnum
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781912343720
• eBook ISBN: 9781912343775
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

Corruption blights the lives of countless people around our world. It is a scourge of the poor and weak. It is a road block to change. It is detestable to God. The purpose of this book is to transform attitudes and behaviours of Christians who live in societies where corrupt behaviour is a fact of life and to do this by letting the Bible, as God's word, speak. It is addressed to Christians disposed by inclination or circumstance to behave corruptly, to Christians who need courage to stand against corrupt behaviour and to Christians who want to use their influence to put pressure on officials to act with integrity. The book is intended to be used for weekly reading by pastors at church services to remind congregations that corruption has no place in Christian life, as a resource for Bible colleges in training pastors/church workers and for small group Bible study. The readings in the book are interspersed with perspectives from AmyJay Riconalla, Jill Stoltzfus, Jules Compaore and the Reverend Dr Maqsoud Kamil, who have contributed from experience in the Philippines, Honduras, Burkino Faso and Pakistan respectively, together with a reflection on corruption in Western society from the Reverend Joel Edwards.

Week 1

General

Accusation/admonishment

Genesis 6.11-13 – Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So God said to Noah, ‘I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth.’

Guidance

James 1.27 – Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Encouragement/example

Job 28.28 – And this is what [God] says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’

Reflection

These verses contrast God’s approach to corruption and violence on the one hand and God’s commendation of wisdom, understanding, purity and love on the other. There is no room for doubt which way of life is demanded of those who profess faith in Christ.

We are all created in the image of God. God intends that we act in harmony with that image. Wisdom springs from reflecting on the character of God (‘the fear of the Lord’). Understanding involves acting consistently with God’s character (‘forsaking evil’).

The history of humanity demonstrates our corruption of God’s creation, which shows itself in violence and evil attitudes and behaviour. Christians are called to refuse to let evil corrupt them. They must stand firm against evil in whatever form it is displayed.

And the sign of a heart devoted to acting in harmony with God’s character? One that cares for those who are not in a position to care for themselves.

For further thought/discussion: What do these verses tell us about God’s character? What do they say about God’s intention for us?

Week 2

Bribery

Accusation/admonishment

1 Samuel 8:1-3 – As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice.

Guidance

Exodus 23:8 – Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth.

Encouragement/example

Psalm 15:5 – Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

Reflection

Anyone reading these verses cannot be in any doubt. It is wrong to offer bribes. It is wrong to accept bribes. Offering a bribe is intended to corrupt. Accepting a bribe involves being corrupted.

We have in these verses illustrations of what corruption means: perversion of justice, turning a blind eye, twisting of truth. Perverted justice is not justice. A blind eye facilitates evil. Twisted truth is no truth at all.

For those who resist bribery and the corruption to which it leads, there is a great promise. Such people will stand firm forever.

For further thought/discussion: What do these verses tell us about the effect of bribery? In the light of these verses, can you think of any circumstances where it would be justifiable to take or give a bribe?

Week 3

Oppression

Accusation/admonishment

Micah 6:12 – The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth.

Guidance

Luke 3:12-14 – Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked [John the Baptist], ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He replied, ‘Collect no more taxes than the government requires.’ ‘What should we do?’ asked some soldiers. John replied, ‘Don’t extort money or make false accusations.’

Encouragement/example

Ezekiel 18:5, 7-9 – Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right. … He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors. He does not rob the poor but instead gives food for the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others, and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the Sovereign Lord.

Reflection

It is clear from the first two passages, written more than 700 years apart, that wealth must not be gathered through extortion, intimidation and violence. The prophet Micah was addressing a situation where rich people had become wealthy in this way. He was making an accusation against them. An accusation of wrongdoing that came directly from God.

Extortion, intimidation and violence are accompanied by deceit. In the case of Micah’s audience a way of life based on deceit had become so pervasive that the truth had ceased to matter. People did not have any internal compulsion to speak honestly. They simply said what was in their own interest.

John the Baptist was addressing tax collectors and soldiers. They were so moved by John’s call to repentance that they wanted to know what practical effect turning away from wrongdoing would have in their lives. John made it clear, as Micah had done before him, that collecting more tax than that prescribed by lawful authority is wrong. He makes it clear that exhorting money through threats, intimidation and false accusation is also wrong.

Both Micah and John connect extortion and violence with lack of regard for the truth. One feeds the other. Both are examples of corrupt behaviour. Micah and John make it clear that God’s people must not behave in this way. We each have a choice when it comes to corrupt behaviour. We can choose to act corruptly or to act with integrity. We must account to God for this choice. As God tell us through Ezekiel, those who choose to act with integrity are promised life.

For further thought/discussion: What does it mean for God to say that someone will ‘surely live’? What do you need to change in the light of these verses?

Week 4

Denial of justice

Accusation/admonishment

Psalm 82:2-4 – How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favouring the wicked? Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

Guidance

Leviticus 19:15 – Do not twist justice in legal matters by favouring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.

Encouragement/example

Job 23:6 – Would [God] use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing.

Reflection

Corruption in dispensing justice in the courts through favouritism, partiality and unfairness is wholly inconsistent with God’s character.

Courts of law become corrupted when judges favour one person (or one group) over another. Judgments that favour one group over another are unjust. They are twisted justice. A Christian in the position of a judge must act impartially. A Christian supporting a person subject to court process must demand fairness.

In the face of Job’s friends’ false attribution of his suffering to sinful behaviour, Job appealed to God. Job knew that in the face of God’s power and authority he had nothing with which to defend himself. God had the power to override any argument Job might make and Job would have to accept it. But Job knew that this is not God’s way. He was confident that God would give him a fair hearing. God would judge him fairly. God would not take advantage of him.

The book of Leviticus sets out the Law of Moses. This Law required those acting as judges to judge fairly. In so doing they were to act impartially. They were not to favour either side, whether the person coming before them was rich or poor. Both were to be treated equally before the law. This approach reflects the very essence of God’s character.

In this context, judges have particular responsibility to ensure that the weakest in society – the poor, the destitute, the orphans, the oppressed, the helpless – do not have their rights and interests overridden by the rich and the powerful. This does not mean this group is to be favoured. It means they need to be assisted to present their cases for judgment so that they are not disadvantaged by their situation and so that justice can be done.

For further thought/discussion: How do people perceive justice to be dispensed in the society in which you live? Does this align with what we know of God’s character shown through these verses? What can you do to ensure that people are treated fairly and impartially?

Week 5

Gaining wealth by unjust means

Accusation/admonishment

Ezekial 28:18 – You defiled your sanctuaries with your many sins and your dishonest trade.

Guidance

Leviticus 19:35-36 – Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or volume. Your scales and weights must be accurate. Your containers for measuring dry materials or liquids must be accurate.

Encouragement/example

Genesis 23:16 – So Abraham agreed to Ephron’s price and paid the amount he had suggested – 400 pieces of silver weighed according to the market standard.

Reflection

Dishonest trade is abhorrent to God. He cannot abide people gaining wealth by cheating. These passages relate to cheating by using dishonest scales – fixing the balance so that it shows that the buyer is receiving more than he is actually receiving, and being charged for that higher amount. Or, when the price is to be paid in gold or silver, by fixing the balance so that the buyer pays more t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Content
• Dedication
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Case 1
• Week 11
• Week 12
• Week 13
• Week 14
• Week 15
• Week 16
• Week 17
• Week 18
• Week 19
• Week 20
• Case 2
• Week 21
• Week 22
• Week 23
• Week 24
• Week 25
• Week 26
• Week 27
• Week 28
• Week 29
• Week 30
• Case 3
• Week 31
• Week 32
• Week 33
• Week 34
• Week 35
• Week 36
• Week 37
• Week 38
• Week 39
• Week 40
• Case 4
• Week 41
• Week 42
• Week 43
• Week 44
• Week 45
• Week 46
• Week 47
• Week 48
• Week 49
• Week 50
• Case 5
• Week 51
• Week 52
• Back