(2 minutes read)
One of the appointments I’ve held in the Salvation Army was Public Relations Secretary. In this position the officer has basically to care for the communication and fund-raising programs. The objective is to design campaigns to increase the quantity of donors and quality of their contributions.
It was common that at the end of the fiscal year companies would hurry to make their donations in time to deduct it from their respective taxes. The sad was that some of them would be willing to make generous donations as long as the Army would grant them receipts twice the value to be donated. Evidently, we never agreed to that practice for honesty and transparency are non-negotiable objectives of the Army.
Unfortunately however, the dishonest greed is a cancer that corrupts people and organizations which can also affect the believers and the Church. It is important to understand that the true Christian can’t allow to be contaminated by this sinful practice and must always be vigilant against this kind of temptation. To ride the public transport without paying for it or to overprice governmental contracts are both faulty advantages that can’t be accepted.
Nothing dishonours God more and denigrates the reputation of the believers and the Church than the hypocritical behaviour, which from one side shows lots of integrity, but from another reveals much corruption. The only way to avoid this kind of conduct is to follow Jesus in all and every circumstance filtering all situations in the light of the word of God.
Regardless of how strong the corruptive pressures of the surroundings are, the bible teaches that we can be faultless if we just allow the power of God to fully operate in us. More than honestly, God enables us to live holily.
- Which undue advantages does the surroundings pressure you to have?
- How should you stand in face of corruption?
(The exemplary conduct, 1 Timothy 3:8-9 / The faultless conduct, Jude 1:24-25)
The last time I checked corruption was 99.5% within the church. That is why God’s work is not growing. We have taken outside politics into the church which is killing the work.
ReplyDeleteIt is my prayer that we win people who can stand for the truth and fight corruption even allow those who are there to speak out without being judged. On the other hand one blow a whistle and to find that become a victim.
There are lot of people who wants to see corruption being thing of the past but because they’re uncertain about their safety they keep quiet.
You report, talk or being eyes and ears…”you talk too much or you ever complain!!!”
Dear reader, you are right. Corruption is everywhere and there is a price to pay when we fight it! As Christian however, we must find the courage and with God's help be light and salt in our communities. Many blessings!
DeleteI have a question: Does source of funding matter for a Christian Organisation?
ReplyDeleteFunds from criminal activity should not be accepted, for it would make the organization accomplice to the crime.
DeleteDear Commissioner, thank you for bringing the subject "corruption" into the discussion. I think that working for a culture where corruption has no place is an ongoing challenge.
ReplyDeleteLet us continue to "seek justice together", especially for the world of the poor.
Dear Maruilson, you are right, the fight against corruption must be an ongoing fight.
DeleteAs I read this blog it resounds with me because I have worked for your organization for some time and the amount of corruption is scary however as an employee I have no recourse because the officers are protected. Everything is swept under the carpet and made to go away and the employee’s life is made a living nightmare should they dare speak out. And so I watch from the sidelines while money is misappropriated and yet when something is needed there is no money it’s gotten to the point where I have been forced to use my own money. So I urge you to look carefully within your own organization and you will be shocked at what you might find.
ReplyDeleteDear friend, thank you for the heads up. Honesty and transparency are non negotiables! It is time to clean under de carpet!
DeleteCommissioner, Thank you for being so brave to raise such a topic that is destroying our beautiful country and sadly our Army and the church at large. I pray that God will give you wisdom and courage to deal with this cancer. God has sent you to SA for such a time as this!
ReplyDeleteIf we follow Jesus, His light will show us the way.
DeleteThank you for bringing this important topic, it is very true this is all around and we are really praying for God’s intervention.
ReplyDelete