The Christian in a Corrupt World (Part 2), March 9, 2014
Central Thought: The believer should always do the right thing even if it means standing alone.
Text: Ecclesiastes 3:16-17, 7:7; Acts 24:24-27, Deuteronomy 16:19-20
Introduction:
The Christian is daily confronted with this evil called corruption. He is constantly under pressure to play ball’ or risk losing out. For the majority, corruption has become a way of life that cannot be avoided. But for us as Christians, it is a capital challenge that desires to put us at enmity with God. With determination, and by the heavenly provisions at our disposal, we must confront this giant standing on our way. Many have been knocked down, and some fatally wounded in the spirit, by the plague of corruption, but the “chosen generation” must show forth the praises of “Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light”, 1 Peter 2:9.
Finally, it must be noted that corruption is not new or peculiar to any one nation alone, but what is clear is that it attracts God’s wrath, Genesis 6:8-12.
Questions and Answers
1. Discuss the following forms of corruption in our society and their effects.
a. Favoritism – This is an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual, it is a special treatment given to one person at the expense of another, James 2:1-4. There should be no favoritism or partiality on account of rank, birth, wealth or apparel. Partiality is not consistent with the Scriptures. Our God is not a respecter of persons, Act 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9. Favoritism is not only a problem in society but has crept into the church. It was in scripture where the widows were neglected and only a fraction of persons were being served. This necessitated the appointment of seven and to ensure a fair treatment for everyone. In today’s church, favoritism appears in different forms. Leaders are appointed in some congregations based on personal interest, such as tribal, professional, social considerations, etc. All these affect the spiritual output of the church.
b. Fraud (Advance Fee Fraud) – This is criminal deception intended to gain money or have personal advantage, 1 Thessalonians 4:6. In recent times advance fee fraud popularly called ‘419’, had taken a new dimension with deceitful means of defrauding unsuspecting persons. With the advent of internet services, there has been an increase in the rate of fraud or cyber crimes. It is pitiable that some brethren have been defrauded by trusted professing Christians, even in the church, Psalms 35:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:13. As a result, there is little or no trust among brethren most especially when it has to do with money. Brethren should beware of fraudsters who come with flatteries, treacherous, deceitful craft.
c. Falsification of Personal Data (e.g. false declaration of age). This is claiming any date that is not your birthday. We should not swear falsely, Leviticus 6:3, it amounts to the documentation of lies so as to be in an advantageous stead. This is seen at work places; where people including Christians consciously and deliberately declare younger age through a false oath to enable them spend years at work. Anything obtained by lying is vanity and it leads to death, Proverbs 21:6.
We must love the truth and be sincere at all times. Consequent upon the above, we find old men and women who can no longer work effectively in active service and deliver maximally at work. This affects the overall work force output, as men and women who ought to have retired are still engaged, they fill up and occupy the spaces their children should have worked thereby resulting in unemployment of the younger generation.
d. Extortion – This is obtaining by force, threats or other unfair means, seen in various forms these days. Some Christian leaders cajole fellow Christians and members using all manner of tactics to rip people or members of their money. Almost everything today in church has been tied to sowing, seeding, or giving else God will not answer. It does not matter the state of the giver, Ezekiel 22:12, Matthew 23:25. Unsuspecting Christians keep falling victim of this.
God will not prosper fraud and tricks. And such leaders who defraud the poor of their hard-earned money to make their pockets fat, stand at the risk of God’s judgment except they repent like Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10. John the Baptist admonished those to be baptized not to exact more than is appointed and this is very important for tax and levy collectors, Luke 3:13.
2. Why do some Christians get involved in corruption?
The reason why some Christians get involved in corrupt practices is not far fetched. Below are some.
a. Greed and Impatience – Most persons, especially youth, do not want to go by God’s time. They want to be rich at all cost and quickly, hence they got into all sort of vices to actualize their crave for quick wealth. God wants His children to wait upon Him, to wait patiently on the Lord. Remember that wealth gotten by vanity shall diminish, Proverbs 13:11.
b. Laziness – Hard work is not encouraged, hence they seek the easy way out.
c. Change in Social Values – Before now, when young boys buy flashy cars and build mansions, elders asked questions on how they came about their sudden wealth, and if no satisfactory answers were given, sanctions were placed on such persons, this is lacking in our present day society. Sermons and teachings on holy living, the rapture and the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ must never cease from the pulpit.
d. Undue Emphasis on Wealth, Social Status, Etc., by Pastors and Church Leaders – The undue recognition given by church leaders to seemingly wealthy persons and highly placed individuals in society, who perhaps are not even born again, has led some genuine believers into corrupt practices.
3. What should be the Christian attitude toward these forms of corruption? Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 6: 17-18; 1 Peter 2:11-12.
Christians should not be part of the corruption of our time. The believer is to separate himself or herself from the crowd by living holy lives, ‘touch not the unclean things’, 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. We should be examples to unbelievers. We are in the world, not of this world, John 15:19, 17:15.
The call to separation is a definite call that the believers must yield to. The believer must make deliberate and conscious effort to live right and stand out from the crowd and its corruption. This he or she does by his or her lifestyle. Christ should reflect in every facet of the Christian’s life; at work, home, the market place, church, etc.
The believers’, whose focus is on making heaven, will live their lives with the consciousness of the fact that they are pilgrims and strangers on earth; this should be a driving force which should propel them from corruption and help them abstain from sin. The believer is to be bold to do good works.
In spite of all pressure faced by the believer, they must be resolute not to be conformed to the standard of this world, they must watch against compromise. This cannot be by strength, hence the need to renew our mind with the word of God and rely on Him for empowerment by His Spirit. The desire to be approved of God must be paramount in our mind. Believers are in the world, but not of it, and it is necessary to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. We are to live in such a way that the unsaved can see us as an example and change for Christ.
4. Discuss how we can practically tackle corruption.
a. The Church – Among Church people, we must identify the wolves among the sheep and help them become who they ought to be in Christ. Help them out of it by talking and most importantly praying for them. It is paramount to also identify the cause of the corruption if it is because of lack of want, such persons should be empowered. It is, however, difficult where those involved in the corrupt practices are the leaders. In any case, the power of prayers to right every wrong must be emphasized. Such person should also be disciplined and publicly too, to serve as a deterrent to others. The word of God and the fear of God in the heart of men is the only constraint to corruption. Sermons and teachings on holy living, the rapture and the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ must never cease from the pulpit.
b. The Society – In the society the law enforcement mechanism should be overhauled. They should be empowered and equipped to detect corruption and be able to adequately bring culprits to book.
The public punishment of such person no matter how highly placed, would serve as a deterrent to others. Leaders should lead by examples.
Daily Living Application:
Complete prosperity and good success is God’s wish for all His children, 3 John 2; Joshua 1:8. As long as we live in obedience to His will, we shall not be failures in life. Corruption is satan’s alternative to God’s prosperity and success. We must rise up to its challenges on a daily basis, and say no its contents, no matter how attractive, we must prepare our minds against corruption, speak against corruption and flee corruption. Take the right step now and start to act beginning from your home.
Memory Verse:
James – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”.