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The
Scourge of Corruption
What does the Bible tell us about corruption and
its causes and consequences?
By John Ross Shroeder
Thousands
of employees and investors saw the bulk of their retirement funds wiped out
when Enron, the giant energy company, imploded in December in the largest-ever
corporate bankruptcy in the United States. The ugly scenario was repeated the
next month when Global Crossing, a huge telecommunications company, became the
fourth-largest bankruptcy.
True to form, the bankruptcies of these two corporate giants bore the earmarks
of major money scandals. Enrons included the shredding of potentially
incriminating documents, ruined lives and the suicide of a high company official.
Investigations of Global Crossing revealed that the chairman of the Democratic
National Committee had pocketed almost $18 million on an investment of $100,000.
The collateral damage from the Enron debacle has already spread to the companys
auditors, the multinational accounting firm Arthur Andersen. With employees
admitting shredding documents, that company is under federal indictment and
faces its own struggle for survival. Enrons long shadow also appears to
have reached across the Atlantic to Britain, where some government officials
allegedly took cash from Enron and free advice from Arthur Andersen in exchange
for changes in some government regulations.
Campaign finance reformed?
Ironically, as fallout from these giant failures spread through the economy,
Congress debated and passed campaign-finance-reform legislation that, in the
opinion of some observers, has the primary effect of creating major hurdles
for future political challengers. Some even cynically dubbed it the Incumbency
Protection Act of 2002.
Revealing was that the new campaign-finance laws will not go into effect until
after the next round of elections late this year. Equally revealing was
the spectacle of hundreds of politicians of both parties fanning out from Washington
to attend fundraisers, scooping up donations of the sort that would be banned
under the legislation they had just passed.
Its no wonder cynicism about political and corporate power is growing.
Sound business and governmental ethics, not to mention basic honesty and accountability,
are fundamental to the long-term success of any nation. In the long run the
greed-is-good philosophy will damage any nation.
Does sin win?
The "Book of the Week" column in Britains Feb. 24 Sunday
Times featured a new work by Marc Lewis curiously titled Sin to Win.
Mr. Lewis, a successful entrepreneur, sold his Internet company,Web Marketing,
for some $30 million, then wrote his book, apparently promoted as a key to business
success. In brief, "Sin to Win promotes the idea that the seven
deadly sinspride, lust, covetousness, envy, gluttony, anger and slothare,
to varying degrees, necessary attributes for success in the commercial world"
(emphasis added throughout).
Overall, the Times reviewer gave the book poor marks. But, to be fair
to Mr. Lewis, he simply articulates and advocates the practices of far too many
in the multinational, corporate world. As much as we decry such ungodly practices,
at least he was honest about how these dubious business methods characterize
some individuals and companies in our world of global commerce.
But do fraudulent dishonesty and sin win? If they didnt, temporarily,
few would practice them. Moses wisely forsook "the passing pleasures of
sin" in Egypt (Hebrews 11:25). Solomon tells us evil thrives when "the
sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily" (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
Psalm 73 describes how the wicked prosper at least for a short time.
The inevitable consequence is often delayed, but it is as sure as tomorrows
sunrise. In the long term, corruption does not pay.
The roots of greed and fraudulence
The apostle John defined sin as "the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4, King James Version). The Ten Commandments constitute the supreme law
against harmful activities. The Eighth Commandment reads, "You shall not
steal." But, since thought usually precedes action, we then are told by
No. 10 that "you shall not covet . . . anything that is your neighbors."
The prophet Micah explained that the evil conceive their actions in their thinking.
"Woe to those who devise iniquity and work out evil on their beds! At morning
light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hands. They covet
fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them, so they oppress
a man and his house, a man and his inheritance" (Micah 2:1-3).
There are always innocent victims when people pursue what isnt theirs.
What about the Enron employees who lost their jobs because of the nefarious
activities of a few?
What about those at Global Crossing and Arthur Andersen who knew nothing of
wrongdoing? They are already suffering. In principle this is what Micah describes.
Our individual, private transgressions do quite enough damage not only to ourselves
but to a circle of family and friends who rely on our good behavior. But the
effects of fraudulent behavior by government and business leaders can be colossal,
bringing disgrace to nations and multinational corporations alike, throwing
thousands out of their jobs, depriving citizens, employees and stockholders
of their due reward for their labor and threatening them with poverty.
Leaders and covetousness
Certain people possess enormous power, and sometimes they use it in ways that
bring devastation to many others. "He who is greedy of gain troubles his
own house," wrote King Solomon (Proverbs 15:27).
In ancient Israel, Mosesfather-in-law advised him to "select from
all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness;
and place such over them . . ." (Exodus 18:21). Roughly 1,500 years later
the apostle Paul told Timothy that a chief consideration in the ordination of
church leaders was that they not be greedy for money (1Timothy 3:3,8). Paul
knew that "those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare,
and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition"
(1Timothy 6:9).
Is this not also an apt description of what happens to government and business
leaders when they lack these basic qualities? Solomon adds: "A ruler who
lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness
will prolong his days" (Proverbs 28:16).
The teachings of Christ are clear. "Take heed and beware of covetousness,
for ones life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses,"
He said (Luke 12:15). Christs basic spiritual teachings go against the
grain of our human nature and our secular value systems. Humanly, money and
materialism are supremely important in our way of thinking. Of course,money
and possessions themselves are not the real problem.
Right approach to wealth and power
The Ten Commandments assume and sanction the private ownership of property.
On the other hand, they condemn coveting enviously desiring what belongs
to someone else. Christs parables of the pounds and talents advocate godly
careeradvancement goals and the wise investment of funds. The Bible teaches
that "the laborer is worthy of his wages" (Luke 10:7). Again, money
is not wrong in and of itselfits the love of money that entraps
us in evil.
Hear King Davids wise advice: "If riches increase, do not set your
heart on them" (Psalm 62:10).
Paul advocated generous giving not onlyto the poor but for the needs of preaching
the gospel of the Kingdom. Yet he sought no gain for himself. As he wrote to
one congregation, "I do not seek yours, but you" (2 Corinthians 12:14). Paul wanted those whom he was reaching with the gospel to
receive everlasting life in the Kingdom of God. His motivation was to serve,
to give.
He added that Jesus Christ Himself had taught that it is more blessed to give
than to receive (Acts 20:35). Paul told the Ephesians: "Let him who stole
steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good,
that he may have something to give him who has need" (Ephesians 4:28).
Giving, wrote Paul, is the antidote to covetousness and blatant dishonesty.
Notice Jesusexplanation of the kind of attitude He expects from anyone
in a leadership position: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord
it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it
shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you,
let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let
him be your slavejust as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28).
This is the attitude God will instill in leaders of government and business
in the transformed society Christ will build in the world to come. Only then
will the scourge of corruption forever be a thing of the past. GN
Related Information:
Table of Contents that includes "The Scourge of Corruption"
Other Articles by John Ross Schroeder
Origin of article "The Scourge of Corruption"
Keywords: covetousness government business corruption corruption
Covetousness: