Corruption has always been a major problem, and no governmental system can fully protect its people from it. What leaders often fail to realize is that corruption in any system puts the entire system at risk, that the common people can take only so much before they overthrow those who exploit and abuse them? What is the primary cause of corruption? It's simple: greed. Sometimes it's a lust for power. Whereas government should be oriented toward the benefit of those who are governed, often the emphasis is on self-service, with the leaders helping themselves first.
The Bible tells us 'the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil' (1 Timothy 6:10). More than 3,000 years
ago, when the Israelites rejected God's rule and wanted a king so they could be like the other nations around
them, God warned them what that would mean.
Through the prophet Samuel He gave them notice that they would have no end to the increased burdens the
king would place on the people in the form of confiscatory taxation and wasteful, excessive government
spending (1 Samuel 8:11-18). This has certainly been the case in recent times regardless of the form of
government.
The corruption cycle
The endemic problem is difficult for Manipur to grasp. It affects every aspect of life. For example, pursuance
of retirement benefits to their own department to bank may require a gift to the official; a permit to conduct
business requires bribes at every level; needed medical attention becomes available only when a handsome
money to be offered; perverts the course of justice depending on which side gives him the most money. It
never ends. In Manipur which is our own state, it is estimated, people lose up to 60 percent of their incomes
to bribery and corruption.
Financial scandals afflict governments regularly, causing people to lose respect for their leaders and with
them the governmental system itself, placing the state at risk. The lack of morality in government has become
a statewide problem. No state is immune. Financial scandals plague many governments. The only governments that don't seem to suffer from these problems are those that strictly control news, thereby covering up the immorality and corruption taking place.
What will it take to end corruption?
What will it take to put an end to immorality and corruption in government? Sadly, it wonít end until there
is a change of heart in leaders. People need to come to understand that government exists to serve thepeople, not to control and exploit them. God says leaders have a responsibility to serve, that governmental leadership exists for the benefit of the people. (Romans 13:1-4; 1Peter 2:13-17). If we want a perfect example of leadership, we can find none better that Jesus Christ, who set leaders everywhere an example of selfless service. In Matthew 20:25-28 He contrasted the typical leadership of the unbelieving nations including the Romans who ruled over Judea at the time with the kind of leadership God expects: '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 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.' We see in this passage that professing Christians are to set an example of service when in positions of authority in government, that those who hold higher positions must set an example of service to those under them in authority. Similarly, the one at the top must set the highest possible personal example in moral conduct. People are influenced greatly by their leaders. Chief Minister, Ministers and Bureaucrats set the trend for their peoples. The people should not expect perfection, because all have sinned (Romans 3:23), but leaders should set a much higher standard than the average person, since their positions give them influence over far more people.
Throughout the history of ancient Israel the Bible records that, when the people had a good king, they
followed God; when they had a king who turned away, the people went right along with him. States suffered
the consequences of sinful acts by those at the top. One of the most familiar examples of this is Israel in
the time of the first four kings, Saul, David, Solomon and Rehoboam. The sins of each ruler led to periods of violence and bloodshed. You can read accounts of this in the two books of Samuel and the first book of Kings. Reading further, you will find that the peoples of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah repeatedly followed the personal example of their leaders. The result of their sin was the captivity of both peoples, taken as slaves into foreign lands. States, like individuals, may postpone the consequences of sin. But eventually all will reap what they have sown.
Lessons from ancient Israel
King Solomon, who later turned away from God, began his reign with promise. Recognizing his limitations as a man of about 30, he turned to God to ask for the gift of wisdom to be a proper ruler. God was so pleased with Solomonís attitude that He gave him both wisdom and material prosperity (1Kings 3). This would
be a good place for any leader to start. Our leaders are sworn in or crowned in a partially religious ceremony in which the Bible, the very Word of God, is used. Yet how many afterwards consult the Scriptures before
making major decisions?
The ancient kings of Israel were commanded to write out a personal copy of the law, the divine manual of
ethical behavior, and to read and rule by it (see Deuteronomy 17:18-20). Of course, few really followed
its advice. Taking a Bible to church but never reading it, or neglecting to follow the counsel given in it, is of
no profit to anybody. Is it any wonder that people lose respect for their leaders when they see such hypocrisy among them? Solomonís three biggest problems were overspending, excessive taxation (1Kings 12:4) and his desire for women (1Kings 11:1-6), which led him away from worshiping God. Things haven't changed much. We often find the same weaknesses in leaders today: the love of money and the ardent pursuit of extramarital relationships.
These sins have brought declining respect for government employees and governmental institutions themselves. But leaders have only themselves to blame. Rather than admit their sins and repent, they blame political opponents or point to the fact that virtually every leader has had similar problems. Such excuses are meaningless. God holds each person responsible for his actions (Philippians 2:12). We are tempted by the same temptations common to humanity (1Corinthians 10:13). If some in society manage to control themselves, then all can.
Coming: a perfect government
The Bible predicts a time when the world will at last live under a perfect government, where bribery, corruption and sex scandals will be unknown. This prophesied era will see real justice when states abide by God's code of morality, living by His laws. This will bring fairness and righteousness for all people under ethical laws and government. The event that will usher in this time will be the second coming of Jesus Christ, who will return to earth to establish His righteous rule over the nations. Speaking of this era, Jeremiah 23:5 foretells a time when 'a King (Jesus Christ) shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.'
This does not mean government cannot improve now. Beneficent rulership requires moral guidance and a
willingness to accept a standard code of sound values that has a proven record of effectiveness. The Bible has withstood the test of time, but few state leaders are willing to embrace the godly morality it teaches. God's Word is widely available. His laws have been in effect since the beginning of time. Breaking those laws leads to suffering and the many social ills we see around us. But, when people live by them,
they reap the resultant good rewards.
As with individuals so it is with nations. People follow the example of their leaders. When the leaders set an
example of immorality, greed and corruption, they can only expect the people to do likewise with the terrible consequences for their society.
