MPs expenses and integrity
News of MPs’ expenses have been grabbing headlines and becoming the topic of conversation in the UK for weeks. Stories continue to unfold day by day on government ministers systematically abusing public finance for personal gains.
Trust in our country’s leaders are shaken, bringing their reputations into disgrace and disrepute. The thousands of pounds claimed by MPs for second homes, taxi rides and mortgages that didn’t exist outrage the public.
The latest in the scandal first exposed by The Daily Telegraph involves the resignation of The Speaker Michael Martin, the first in over 300 years. This calls for a major shake-up of the entire system.
The expenses scandal has spread all over the country as regional papers pick up scrutinise their local MPs from Westminster to Wythenshawe.
How a select few could exploit taxpayer’s money using their power and position while ordinary citizens are struggling to make ends meet has shaken the nation.
Many have already begun to apologise but others have defended their expenses as being within the confines of the rules. There may have been rules, but there is also morality. Surely the MPs would know that what the Commons fees office allowed was not right, especially if these rules were created by themselves.
The Bible is full of scriptures that tell us how God delights in honesty, integrity and righteousness. In fact, justice and righteousness are the foundations of His throne – the very characteristics of His being and His kingdom.
I am reminded of Daniel, who found himself in politics when King Darius appointed him as one of his three administrators. Daniel’s accusers struggled to bring him down because they could find no corruption in him. ‘… he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent in his conduct of government affairs’. (Dan 6:4)
Matthew Ling, who leads the Living Rock Church in Coventry, commented on this subject on Roger Aubrey’s blog:
“The few MPs with genuine integrity, who have not been behaving this way, should begin to rise to prominence as others find their political careers coming to an abrupt end. God is shaking our parliament and those whose lives are built on godly principles will be exalted in the process.”
It’s times like these that the world needs to look at how the church and the elders conduct their finances with transparency. The church offers a real and effective alternative to a secular world that continues to be riddled with greed and corruption.
Proverbs 11:5 The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.
By Wan Phing Lim
