12th September, 2010
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng
Posted By Teresa Han
Luke 6:43-45
Main Idea: To teach the congregation not to practice corruption.
Objectives: a. To explain the meaning of a good tree. b. To teach the congregation not to practice corruption.
A. Introduction
- The second social principle of the social creed is about Christianity and the economic order. Let us read it with understanding and allow it to impact our lives. This second principle is very rich in its content. It is touching on political power, corruption, property and acquisition of wealth, poverty and employment, workers and bargaining powers, consumerism, rural and urban life, mission and Christian vocation!
- I shall focus on corruption on this series of sermon on Social Concerns. Let me justify myself. First and foremost, it is for the purpose of awareness and we must not become part of it. Secondly, it is a serious problem that affects the allocation of resources of our country. Take a look at the part of the social principle that talks about corruption:
- “We are gravely concerned about the seriousness of problems and threats posed by corruption to the stability and security of societies, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardizing sustainable development, the rule of law and the administration of justice. We are also seriously concerned that most of the time, the least privileged bear the highest cost of corruption when the state’s financial resources are inefficiently allocated and wasted. The church stands against all forms of corruption in her Endeavour to be the salt and light of the world. The church advocates and promotes integrity, accountability, and proper management of public affairs and public property and to this end the church rejects and will not participate in the giving and receiving of bribes. The church supports all comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to prevent and combat corruption effectively”. (Page 34, Methodist Book of Discipline, 2008)
- It is in the context of corruption that I use the scriptural text today.
- I liken a person who does not practice corruption to a good tree that bears good fruit.
B. How destructive is corruption in Malaysia?
- You may ask what is corruption or bribery. Its simple definition is to intentionally give a reward in monetary form or other forms with the understanding that the other party will give you the project , license, or any business deal the giver of bribe desires for. The bribe can be given so that you become the preferred candidate or it is done to speed up a process of application for a particular permit, approval, license, etc. Take for instance; you give a bribe secretly to one government officer so that you can a project to supply something to his department. It is a sin because both of you bypass the principles of transparency, justice and accountability. A small example will be to give a small amount to a traffic police so that he will not “saman” for your traffic offence. It is a sin because as a responsible citizen you have disobeyed a traffic rule which is designed for the safety of road users. You also have contributed to making the police committing a sin.
- What is so destructive about corruption in Malaysia? What is at stake is not only a sin. When everybody is doing it, when people from top to bottom are doing it, then, ultimately, wealth will concentrate in a few hands throughout the country. It results in very unequal distribution of wealth given by God to all the citizens in the country. It is what the book of discipline says, “the state’s financial resources are inefficiently allocated and wasted.” Eventually, the poor will get poorer and powerless and the rich will get richer and more powerful. In the end, the poor may not stand it any longer, they will not only commit crime, they will organize demonstration and violence!
C. Applications
- A good tree produces good fruit. Christians, in essence, by nature, after salvation, as we walk through our journey of faith, we must live a life of holiness, God fearing, a life of godly characters. Jesus likens us to a good tree.
- So, Jesus teaches in verse 43, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.” When we are dealing with plant life, it is clear that each tree has its characteristic fruit. You cannot pick a certain type of fruit from any tree but its own. All other trees grow different fruit.
- Good people, good Christians, like good trees, produce good fruit. He produces his fruit out of the good treasure of his heart. It is what he has in his heart, in his inner life that determines what fruit his life will yield. So, also with an evil person, his inner evil can produce only evil
- The principle stated in the end is out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Our words reveal what is in our heart.
- People whose hearts are filled with greed will no doubt produce words of corruption and leading to bribery. No greed in the heart, there will be no bribery. A good heart, a good tree will not practice bribery.
- How to fight against corruption? You need to ask your what good will you gain by bribery. You have sold away your Christian characters like contentment, honesty, accountability, etc. You put the name of Jesus to shame, you take on greed, dishonesty, hypocrisy, self-centeredness, etc. You distant yourself from God and the person of Jesus, you sin against him. You may be richer, but you may not have peace in heart, you cannot face Jesus; etc.
- Remember, your godly characters are at stake when you compromise your Christian values. You sold away dignity and identity as Christians. Can you face Jesus’ judgments?
D. Conclusion
- Be a good tree that is grounded in the word of God. When your holiness is rooted in the word of God, you will not bribe. You shall be a great testimony for Jesus. People will know Christians, disciples of Jesus will not both receive or give bribe.
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