“‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and
scatter the sheep of my pastures’ says the
Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of
Israel against the shepherds who feed my
people: ‘You have scattered my flock, driven
them away, and not attended to them. Behold,
I will attend to you for the evil of your
doings,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:1-2
NKJV).
Corruption in government is an ancient and universal problem. A modern proverb has it, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
In other words, give almost any human the ability to take advantage of a position for his own benefit and he will.
The prophets of Israel delivered God’s message of outraged anger against the oppression of the poor and needy by those in positions of power.
“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 hand. 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 2:1-2).
Their thefts and oppression was not motivated by hunger or even just greed alone. They had the opportunity, therefore they took advantage of it. Such is the temptation of power.
It seems sometimes that governments throughout the world are in competition for the title of “World’s Most Corrupt.” Bribery and injustice permeate almost all bureaucracies. The primary motive for higher office seems to be personal profit. The poor and unfranchised seem to be mere helpless victims.
The only apparent solution to this particular form of corruption would seem to be the limitation or removal of all such power. If no one had the position to abuse, less harm could be done.
This may be the best argument for a purely democratic form of government. If government is truly of the people, then power rests in the full population, not any particular person or group.
But experience teaches that even this ideal situation cannot be, or at least has never been, sustained. A majority learns to misuse the power of numbers and oppresses minorities.
Elected representatives betray their constituents and act for themselves, not for those whom they represent.
Slowly and steadily power reverts to a few and becomes abused.
Christianity offers a better way. That is to recognize that “There is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1).
We must submit to his power alone, looking to him for guidance and leadership.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the
mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in
due time” (1 Peter 5:6).
It is the denial, or abrogation of power, that is the surest path to incorruptibility. In Christ’s Church that is exemplified in what is called “Servant Leadership.”
“You know that those who are considered
rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones exercise authority over
them. Yet it shall not be so among you, but
whoever desires to become great among you
shall be your servant” (Mark 10:42-43).
Paul expressed it like this,
“Let nothing be done through selfish
ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem others better than
himself. Let each of you look out not only
for his own interests, but also for the
interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
A hopeless and unrealistic ideal? In human governments where God is not honored, of course. But in His kingdom it is how it must be. God offers us a better realm. Let us seek it eagerly.