Preacher: Pastor (Dr) Otive Igbuzor
Text: Eph 5:11; Prov 31: 8-9 Date: 7/7/24
Introduction
11th July 2024 is African Anti-Corruption Day. The theme for this year is Effective Whistle Blowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption.
African Anti-Corruption Day was adopted to commemorate the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. This year marks 21 years since the adoption.
The concept of Whistle blowing is that when you see corruption, you should report it.
Three years ago in 2021, we declared the Sunday before 11th July as Anti-Corruption Sunday.
What is Corruption for a Christian?
The ethical standard of Christianity is higher than societal standards. So, the meaning of corruption for society stands for a Christian. But in addition, the bible is the final authority for the Christian and biblical ethical standards are higher than the world’s standards.
A Christian is a person who has received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and saviour. A Christian has converted from his old ways to the new way and the lifestyle should be patterned after Christ. The Bible is clear about expectation of the Christian:
James 4: 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (KJV)
James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (NIV)
For a Christian, corruption is:
Engagement in dishonesty or bribery
Using public office for private gain
Knowing the good thing to do and refusing to do it.
Corruption is harmful to Society
It retards economic growth and hinders investment
It lures people into rent seeking instead of productive work
Money meant for providing services such as health and education are stolen leading to poor health services and low quality education.
Money meant for building of infrastructure are stollen leading to poor road, lack of electricity and no fuel.
God Hates Corruption
The bible, the word of God shows clearly that God hates corruption and do not want His children to engage in it.
Prov 11: 1 -The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him. (NIV)
In the Old Testament, the word bribery is regularly used to refer to corruption:
Ex 23: 8- “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent. (NIV)
Deut 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. (NIV)
Judges in the Old Testament were cautioned not to accept bribe to pervert justice.
Prov 17: 23 The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice. (NIV)
The Bible is a manual of anti-corruption. In our research, we found 115 scripture verses against corruption. Some of them are categorical:
Ex 20: 15 Thou shalt not steal. (KJV)
God’s Expectation of Christians with regard to Corruption: Shun, speak against and Stand Up against Corruption
God expects Christians to shun, speak against and stand up against corruption.
Shun Corruption
God calls Christians to a life of integrity and justice
Ex 20: 15 Thou shall not steal (KJV)
Prov 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. (NIV)
Speak against Corruption
God calls Christians to seek justice and speak against corruption.
Prov 31: 8-9-Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (NIV)
Eph 5: 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [a]expose them. (NKJV)
Stand up against corruption
God calls Christians to stand up against corruption and injustice.
Is 1: 17-Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.[a] Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (NIV)
Amos 5:24 -But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (NIV)
1 Cor 5: 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (KJV)
1 Cor 5: 11 -But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[a] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. (NIV)
Anti-Corruption Crusaders in the Bible
The workmen that handled the building of the temple during the reign of Joash, the King of Judah: 2 Kings 12:15- They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty. (NIV)
Daniel: Daniel is an outstanding example of honesty and accountability.
Dan 6: 4 -At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. (NIV)
The early Apostles displayed the highest level of honesty and accountability
Acts 4: 32-15- All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (NIV)
Nehemiah: confronted corruption and exploitation among the leaders of Jerusalem. Nehemiah did not take the governor’s food allowance and confronted those who exploited their fellow Jews.
Neh 5: 14-16- Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels[a] of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we[b] did not acquire any land. (NIV)
John the Baptist: spoke against corrupt practices of leaders.
Luke 3: 12-14 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (NIV)
Challenge
Are you a Christian? Have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour? Are you following the old way or the new way of Jesus? Is your lifestyle like that of Christ? Is your behaviour in conformity with the flesh or with the spirit? Do you shun corruption? Do you speak against corruption? Do you take action against corruption? Are you an anti-corruption crusader. God called you to live a life of integrity and justice and to defend the oppressed.
Conclusion
Corruption is a huge problem all over the world. Corruption is one of the major obstacles to the development of Nigeria. Corruption has brought about poor health services, low quality education, bad roads, lack of electricity and poor social services in Nigeria. But God hates corruption. The Bible, the word of God shows clearly that God hates corruption and do not want His children to engage in it. God expects His children to shun, speak against and stand up against corruption. As a child of God, you are required to shun, speak against and stand up against corruption. You are an anti-corruption crusader.
Prayer Point
Father, empower me to live a life of an anti-corruption crusader as you have called me.