Theme: GREED
Text: “Moreover thou shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God,
men of truth, hating covetousness, and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands and rulers hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens” – Exodus 18:21.
Comment: When the burden of administering the Israelites was weighing down on Moses the prophet, his father-in-law, Jethro advised him to get able men and delegate smaller administrative responsibilities to them. Among the qualities Jethro urged Moses to look out for were that they should have the fear of God and hate covetousness as could be seen in the text for today. The Bible says that those who rule over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:2) Also, rulers especially public/political office holders who are elected to rule people should not be greedy or covetous by siphoning public funds to private bank accounts, converting government property to personal use, embezzling money disbursed for infrastructural projects etc, Rather, they should be satisfied with the salaries/allowances due to them. To this end, John the Baptist advised publicans in those days, “Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages” – Luke 3:12-14.