Bribe Refusers

Having done a bit of exploring into what the Bible says about, Bribes and Bribe takers we now focus on Bribe refusers. I have chosen to bring this to you on its own, for two main reasons. One is that having seen that none is exempt from being tempted with bribes, and noting that even though a father has guided his sons in the fear and admonition of God and was a perfect example of one never accepting a bribe, the children easily fell to the temptations of bribery. In addition, it is very sobering, when one thinks that a disciple, who lived and worked with Jesus, the Perfect Teacher, Example and Guide, so easily went the other way and became a bribe taker.

Pictures and examples of these, all good people, scare us and we feel, perhaps, that there is no hope for us. Why? When we think of Samuel and more so Jesus, having bribery in their homes, among their children and disciples, can be most disheartening and frightening. In this offering, I pray that we all will be lifted from such fear and learn to seek our Lord in every thought, word and deed.  

My second reason for placing this on its own and giving it much attention, is that we need to see that our Lord Jesus, knows all about bribery. We want to fully look and see that when He was in human flesh, He faced bribery, especially in His weakest moments. We must see bribery in all its many-sides, many-coloured and many-deceptive forms. We want to be clear in our minds, that bribery is not just about money. In this offering, I have also prayed that we will be made wiser and more astute about bribery and be given the wisdom and foresight to see it, in all its forms, and stay clear.

We are looking at Samuel as leader of the children of Israel. He led in a time when bribery was rampant and it was easy for people in leadership positions, as he was, to thrive on bribery. Here is an example as documented in Micah, concerning the practices of Israel’s leaders. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Micah 3: 11a. Bribery was a menace, an awful vice and it was most displeasing to Sovereign God. Yet, I want you to know that Samuel, a human being like you and me, led and worked without taking bribes from anyone. How do we know this as fact? Let’s stop and listen to his farewell speech to the masses of people whom he served.

As for me, I am old and gray and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right. You have not cheated or oppressed us, they replied. You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand. 1 Samuel 12: 2b – 4.

As we are dealing specifically with bribery, we single out the open, bold, public challenge of Samuel, to all the people of Israel, God’s children, in the presence of God and God’s anointed. He wants them to testify against him, whether he has ever taken a bribe from any one of them during his tenure as leader, for the decades he has served them. Samuel is clear and bold about being clean of any bribery. It is in the general response of the people, that we can believe that Samuel has not ever been guilty of bribery. You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand. Does this not give us hope, that it is possible for us to serve our Lord without being bribe takers?

It was stated earlier on, that Jesus, who was Leader, Master, Friend, Teacher and even a Father to His chosen Twelve has one of His beloved, engaged in bribery. It was also stated that Jesus was the perfect example to His own. Jesus was not just a great example as a Teacher, warning and teaching His followers, His children, if you will, about bribery, but He showed them, in His own Person, that depending and clinging to the Holy Spirit, they too can be as victorious as He was, in denying every temptation of bribery. Many of us simply look at Jesus being tempted by the devil, for example, and see how He refused to yield to any of his temptations. However, many of us do not see the subtle way the crafty, cunning devil was offering bribes to The Son of Man, to get what he wanted.

Look at it this way. Unscrupulous, wicked and evil men and women, look at little children and bribe them with candy or toys, for example, to get them to follow them. Others, just as dishonest and heartless, bribe many a weak, poor person, with money and gifts, to obey them and do as they order. Whether you care to accept this or not, we have a Master, Teacher, Friend and Lord, who knew some deep bribery. Did not Satan bribe Jesus with wealth, power and authority, if He would subject Himself to him? Listen to what is so well-known. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me. Matthew 4: 8 – 9. I ask you, if that is not bribery, what is?

The same Spirit who kept Jesus from bribery can also make you a bribe refuser. We do not ever have to conspire with the evil one, against any Resurrection Truth.