Ecclesiastes // Chasing MeaningSample

So, what would you do if you wanted the Olympic Games in your city? And what if you had been trying very hard to secure the games? In fact, you tried to get the games to come in 1932, 1972, 1976, 1992, and 1998. Each time the answer was, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Only one thing left to do, right? Try a little bribery. That’s what the Salt Lake City Olympic Bid Committee did. They spent $16 million on their bid. They entertained over seventy International Olympic Committee members. I mean, they really entertained them! They also offered jobs at a local bank, tuition-free admission to a local college, health care, and even a “really nice gun” to the IOC president, Juan Antonio Samaranch. But as is usually the case, they got caught. Committee members were forced to resign. Members were expelled for the first time in the IOC’s century-long history. But Salt Lake City got its 2002 Winter Olympics—at a great price.¹

Ecclesiastes 7:7

Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

A bribe is defined as “money or any other valuable consideration given or promised with a view to corrupting the behavior of a person.” A bribe is anything we give to persuade or induce a certain action. And money in exchange for prestige, power, and position to gain college admission or to change the outcome of a sports game (remember the Black Sox Scandal) is always tempting for some. Money can corrupt the heart.

Sometimes a bribe is a little more subtle. More money at work, but at a great sacrifice to your family. A little “reward” (kickback) for getting the deal. Money tempts us. That’s why we must always put up and keep up guards around our hearts. Solomon said in his proverbs, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov. 4:23).

Father, money and more money tempts us. Help us not sell out but hold firm to what we know to be right and true. Help us stay strong when it seems others are getting ahead by corruption. Remind us that one day we will stand before you and give an account. In Jesus’ name. Amen.