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| We should all welcome transparency and truthfulness. |
Human nature being what it is, I understand the reluctance to disclose things folks might find unflattering or embarrassing. But if we have done nothing blameworthy, why not welcome scrutiny, and let the facts speak in our defense?
Meanwhile, it's easy to point fingers at our current president for withholding his tax returns, and to assume it's because a) they may reveal that he's not been as successful a businessman as he has claimed, b) that he has evaded taxes by questionable means, or c) that he has given precious little to charitable causes. We don't really know, but what does he and other public officials have to hide?
And before we make such judgments, let's first be transparent about our own stewardship. As caretakers and managers of what we acknowledge to be entirely God's, are we willing to share our own tax returns and financial dealings with others in our congregations to whom we are accountable? We should be.
If so, might many of us be found guilty of embezzling the wealth with which God has entrusted us, or of being embarrassingly stingy with how we share with the millions of God's children who are homeless and starving?
Truly, what do we have to hide?
"Nothing
is secret but what will be known. Anything that is hidden will be
brought into the light." (Luke 8:17 NLV)
While I don’t disagree with much of what you say about our honesty or lack thereof re; our disposable income I see your conclusion as naive and wrong.
ReplyDeleteFirstly when campaigning he assured the public that if elected he would release his returns. Kind of a simple concept that people have a right to expect him to honor his commitment. After all he is president and we could expect leadership in that regard.
Secondly, if I don’t follow through on my obligations as a Christian that hardly is justification for his crimes and misdeeds.