Bound By A Bribe

“Felix was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.”     Acts 24:26

For two years after he defended himself before Governor Felix, Paul stayed in prison—but he didn’t have to.  “Felix was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him”(Acts 24:26). For the right amount of change, Paul’s situation could have changed, but he wouldn’t do it.  Why? And why not?  He was imprisoned unfairly on trumped up charges, he already had a bounty on his head, and his hopes of getting a fair trial were fading fast.  By the time the coins he counted out finished clinking, Paul could have already shipped out on another mission trip to preach the gospel near and far.  So why stay under guard when he could have gone free?  Because freedom bought with a bribe really isn’t free.  Though the accusations against him were false, Paul would not resort to wrong to get what seemed right.  The freedom of a clear conscience and clean testimony was worth much more than an open jail cell.  Paul knew God’s power so confidently and he trusted God’s plan so completely that he chose not to push his own way by padding the governor’s pocket. 

Our prisons are rarely literal, but in those situations of life that seem unfair, unjust, inescapable, or unenjoyable, don’t resort to bribery to get what you think would be better.   As the Bible says, a bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it, but such shortcuts to success bring suffering(Prov 17:8).  Bribes corrupt the heart(Ecc 7:7) and pervert justice(Prov 17:23).  They blind the eyes of the wise and twist the words of the innocent(Deut 16:19).  Offering bribes to others is intentionally inviting them to sin, and accepting a bribe yourself is willfully doing what is wrong.  Don’t go there—no matter where you think it might get you.  Know that whoever bribes you, owns you, and if you can be bought, you can also be sold. 

Be aware that people are bought by much more than money.  Power, position, importance, opportunity, fulfillment, and pleasure are commodities often exchanged on the sly.  Be careful in business that “back scratching” doesn’t become bribing, and don’t try to get ahead by selling your heart.  The freedom of a clear conscience and clean testimony are worth far more than the accountant’s bottom line.

Paul could have gone free, but a bribe would have bound him tighter than prison chains ever could.
Be God’s man.  Trust God’s plan.  And don’t buy into any others. 
Even your own.