Do You Know Bribery is Wrong?

So the truth is out.

Morocco should have won the bid for the 2010 World Cup, but after a $10 million “donation for disadvantaged soccer”, arranged by Thabo Mbeki, South Africa ‘won’ it!

I was very interested to see the voting on News 24 on this topic:

It clearly shows there are some people who believe bribery is wrong.

The Bible is full of warnings against bribery. These are some of the references I found…

Throughout the Bible there are verses warning against bribery and the ensuing corruption.

Deuteronomy 16:19
“Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”

Deuteronomy 27:25
“Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.”

Proverbs 17:8
“A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.”

Isaiah 1:23
“Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them”.

Isaiah 5:22-23
“Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!”

Ecclesiastes 7:7
“Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.”

Job 36:18
“Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.”

These principles from the word of God remind me of a couple of things.

1. Bribery has been around for thousands of years. This is not a new thing.

2. Bribery does no good.

Hebrews 4:13 has sobering words…

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

One day we will have to give an account of everything we have ever done. It is worth while, this side of eternity, to live life with short accounts, living a clean life before the Author of Life.

Do what is right, not in your own sight, but do what is right in the sight of God.

How do you do that? You acquaint yourself with the Word of God. It is not a hard thing to do.

If you want to know about anything,  just Google this, “What does the Bible say about __________________?”

Fill in the blank. It can be anything – money, family, sex, marriage, community, anger, grief, bribery, theft – the Bible has the answers to how life should be led.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you today!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂