Bribes

“Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth. [Exodus 23.8]

A bribe has everything to do with money or material gain. 

Personal gain is the most dangerous motivator to persuade a person (even a righteous person) to make a decision contrary to their convictions.

Perhaps this is why Jesus taught that one cannot serve both God and mammon (money).

Because material gain is at the root of so much that our society does, the lines between pursuing money or pursuing truth are often difficult to distinguish. It is not ironic that Jesus also taught that we should seek first the Kingdom of God and that all the things that material gain could provide would be provided.

There is nothing wrong with receiving money for an honest day's labor or for a product one provides as a trade or skill. But everything is wrong with receiving money to make a choice that one would not otherwise make.

In general, when money is the sole motivation for one to make a choice that is clearly wrong or will knowingly adversely affect another, then that is indeed a bribe.

It seems to me that where the lines have become blurry today is that bribes and salaries could often be synonymous.

Father, help us to understand when we have crossed the line between receiving honest wages or receiving a bribe.