For The Proverbial Palate- 08.09.2008

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts (bribes) shall live. Proverbs 15:27

 

     

Bribery, a form of pecuniary corruption, is an act usually implying money or gift given that alters the behaviour of the recipient in ways not consistent with the duties of that person or in breach of law. The bribe is the gift bestowed to influence the recipient’s conduct. Wikipedia

Bribery around the world is estimated at about $1 trillion (£494bn).  The burden of corruption falls disproportionately on the bottom billion people living in extreme poverty who cannot afford to pay and who thus receive sub-standard treatment from officials. African corruption ‘on the wane’, 10 July 2007, BBC News

If we are honest with ourselves, we must agree that we are living in a feeble and corrupt society. Deception, corruption and bribery on ever corner, if you please. If the article from BBC New is correct concerning bribery around the world estimated at $1 trillion, one can not deny that bribery is a very lucrative business, although not all of society.

If it is the bottom billion living in extreme poverty who are receive the sub-standard treatment, we can only surmise that they who have money are in the best position to get what they want… in more ways than one. But if the Proverb is right, it may get us more than we bargained for.

When I think of bribery, from a biblical perspective there is one example that rises to the top. It is the wily work of Judas Isacriot and his selling of his soul, so to speak, for 30 pieces of silver…

“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.” Matthew 26:14-16

The monetary value of 30 pieces of silver in Jesus day would have equated to approximately a 5-week salary. In today’s economy the value ascribed to the silver would be somewhere in the $400-$600. One might say, “that’s not a lot of money”, but that was not the issue. It was the heart of Judas.

We find in the gospel of John when Mary brought forth the box of precious ointment and anointed the precious feet of our Lord that Judas was seemingly concerned, that this ointment was not sold and the money given to the poor.

The scripture reveals to us that Judas was not really concerned about the poor. He was the keeper of the bag and he was a thief. From this we can see that Judas had a problem with his heart and he would do anything for the ‘almighty dollar’.

We find this same corrupt heart in our society. The individuals that live by this heart are the movers and the shakers. They make things happen and will, like Judas, do anything and everything to make a buck. Never realizing that …

“he that loveth silver, shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them, and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes…. yes all is vanity” Ecclesiastes 5:10-11

The Psalmist wrote-…

“LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.” Psalm 26:8-12

Integrity is ones greatest defense against the deception and danger of being drawn in to the realm of bribery. If you are considering looking for integrity, look not at another’s heart, consider thine own.

Peace

malachi

No Comments Yet

No comments yet.

Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI