Some reflections on MPs expenses, accountability, guilt and forgiveness
As I write this the scandal of M.P.'s expenses is rumbling on. Soon you may be considering who to vote for on 4th June. There are some important issues underlying what has happened and what is happening.
The first question is, "Whose money are the MPs spending?" The answer is it belongs to all he people of this country including taxpayers, though virtually all of us pay tax in some way. Therefore, if money has been used wrongly it is theft from everyone. The issue is not if the expenses were approved or fell within the rules, but if a claim was justifiable and right.
The matter is complicated and issues such as MPs' salaries have been discussed. The problem with relying too much on this reasoning is that it may give an excuse for others to steal who, say, are really poor or in a difficult situation. It is clear that there have been imperfections with the system, and those who administer it and those who benefit from it.
It is easy to tar all the MPs with the same brush and think they are all dishonest and motivated by personal gain. Some MPs have clearly been very upset that their integrity has been questioned. Even those who expenses appear questionable initially may not have fully realised what they were doing. We cannot judge someone else's motives, though we live in a culture that is eager to do so. Paul, writing to the church at Corinth addressed this issue, so it is not just a modern fault! "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts." ( 1 Corinthians 4:5 ) Only God is all-knowing truly just and, therefore, able to condemn.
From a Christian perspective there are some underlying principles that apply to us as well as the MPs.
1) Everything is given to us by God. Later in 1 Corinthians 4, verse 7, Paul asked, "What do you have that you did not receive?". James 1:17 asserts, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..."
We have a loving, creator God who delights in giving. We cannot create anything from nothing, we have to use the abilities, bodies, energy, time and, perhaps materials, given by God.
2) This should lead to praising God for his provision to us. Revelation 4:11 illustrates this, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
There is an old hymn that includes the words, "Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." It is good to count our blessings, especially when so many our worse off than we are.
3) God's gifts to us also lead to accountability. In 1 Corinthians 4, again, Paul wrote in verse 2, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." He then goes on to say that God will judge people for the way they have used his gifts. This could mean the loan of property, our bodies, energy, abilities or the good news of Jesus.
I imagine that virtually everyone has done something like used the work's telephone for a personal call, or taken a work's pen or pencil home, or used the firm's computer and/or time for personal activities. If that is so, how is this different to what some MPs have done except, perhaps, by degree?
In last month's column we looked at forgiveness. We all need to seek the forgiveness Jesus offers, and we need to forgive those who, like us, have also fallen short. The problem with pointing the finger is that three more are pointing back to ourselves!
What can we do that is positive? Pray.
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Yours in Jesus,
Jim Pye.