“Our representative democracy is not working because
the Congress that is supposed to represent the voters does not respond to their
needs.” Shirley Chisholm
Another
election is done. Already the rhetoric and gearing up for 2024 has begun. There
will be promises of programs and economic resurgence.
One of the most common ones is a promise of tax cuts. It’s “red meat” for a naïve constituency. Anyone with a basic understanding of finances knows that you can never cut what is coming in unless you first cut what must go out. Until there are cuts in programs and spending, there will never be lasting tax cuts. Unfortunately, when our elected leaders attempt to make the most basic cuts, special interest groups fight for those programs like two dogs fighting for the last bone.
None of this is new. It shows once again the relevancy of the Bible. This morning we’re continuing our study of 1 Samuel. When the people of Israel demanded a king, Samuel warned them of the cost – the king would take and take and take, and then he would take some more (1 Samuel 8:11-18). God knew the propensity of government leaders to pad their own pockets. It's why Old Testament Law included limits and prohibited them from living at a level above the people they ruled.
God-ordained government. His plan was for it to benefit and protect its citizens. But government without God takes from and harms its citizens. America’s founding fathers knew this and sought to limit our government.
In spite of God’s commands Israel’s kings soon were living like “royalty.” It happened in ancient Israel. It’s happening in America.
The founders of our country held to a Judeo-Christian worldview. They knew that when laws are subject to the whims of the powerful, its citizens lose rights and freedoms. As the kings of ancient Israel failed to live under God’s laws, Congress has benefits that they’ve given themselves that the average person can’t even dream of. Yet, God planned for government to live at the same economic level and under the same laws as those it governed. If today’s members of Congress had to live like the rest of us, many of our current problems would be solved.
Please understand this is not partisan and is true of anyone in Congress. For example, even a freshman in Congress makes more than airline pilots, dentists and nearly makes what a doctor makes though in Congress no education or experience is required. Admittedly, there should be realistic income for setting the laws and running the country. Yet, being a member of Congress includes a minimum annual paycheck of $174,000 which is more than twice as high as the average private-sector salary of $73,000.
Healthcare. Millions of Americans are anxious about the cost of their healthcare, but not members of Congress, their staffs and other federal employees. They enjoy special health care privileges denied to the rest of us. Members of Congress have a large portion of their health insurance subsidized by the public despite making more than four times than those at the poverty level. And unlike doctors and patients in other federal health programs, congressional and federal employees, as well as the doctors and hospitals that care for them, are not drowning in a sea of regulations. The increasingly unintelligible rules, regulations, and guidelines afflicting Medicare largely are absent from their healthcare program.
Insider Trading. Despite passing the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, Congress gutted the primary disclosure component. While still making it difficult to make trades on inside information, this means a member of Congress doesn’t have to publicly disclose his/her trades and potential insider knowledge. Perhaps that’s why some 50% of Congress is made up of millionaires, compared with only 1% of America as a whole. How do you become a multi-millionaire earning $174,000 annually?
Retirement Benefits. According to figures from the Census Bureau, the average Social Security recipient will net $15,000 a year in benefits while a public workers' pension will average around $26,000. By contrast, a retired member of Congress who's served 20 years will average $59,000 annually in pension benefits. On top of that, members of Congress (actually all federal workers) have access to the Thrift Savings Plan, a 401(k)-like investment vehicle with fees of just 0.03%. To put it into context, this means just $0.27 in fees for every $1,000 for their Thrift Savings Plan, compared with the average 401(k), which charges around $5 in fees for every $1,000! Over a lifetime, it means thousands less in fees for congressional employees compared to public and private-sector workers.
Office Expenses. The Congressional formula includes staff salaries, office expenses, travel and office space. The amount for staff and general office expenses are the same for each office. But if a district is far from DC, has many inhabitants or expensive real estate, they’re given a larger budget than a rural district close to Washington. The annual rate is nearly $1 million, yet still more than half the members of the House exceed that.
First, these examples are a small portion of the many perks members of Congress receive. This also does not include either the executive or judicial branches. The Bible is up to date. God saw this coming. He knows the darkness of human hearts and that those in power often abuse it.
Second, all of the governments of this world are temporary solutions. Only the gospel and transformed lives can truly make a difference in the culture and in eternity. Yet, where are most of us focused? Be honest. Which do you talk about more – the government or the gospel? Only one will have an influence on the community around us? If you could never talk about the government again or never share the gospel again, which one would bother you more? To be honest, it’s tempting to talk about the evils of government that’s far away because it doesn’t hold you and me accountable to be salt and light and Christlike so that those in our circle of influence see the transformation that the gospel makes in our own lives.
Christians know that our world is a disaster. We must be wise and invest our lives where we can make a difference both now and in eternity. Here’s a vital question: Am I more concerned about where my family, neighbors or co-workers will spend eternity or about who they vote for?
One of the most common ones is a promise of tax cuts. It’s “red meat” for a naïve constituency. Anyone with a basic understanding of finances knows that you can never cut what is coming in unless you first cut what must go out. Until there are cuts in programs and spending, there will never be lasting tax cuts. Unfortunately, when our elected leaders attempt to make the most basic cuts, special interest groups fight for those programs like two dogs fighting for the last bone.
None of this is new. It shows once again the relevancy of the Bible. This morning we’re continuing our study of 1 Samuel. When the people of Israel demanded a king, Samuel warned them of the cost – the king would take and take and take, and then he would take some more (1 Samuel 8:11-18). God knew the propensity of government leaders to pad their own pockets. It's why Old Testament Law included limits and prohibited them from living at a level above the people they ruled.
God-ordained government. His plan was for it to benefit and protect its citizens. But government without God takes from and harms its citizens. America’s founding fathers knew this and sought to limit our government.
In spite of God’s commands Israel’s kings soon were living like “royalty.” It happened in ancient Israel. It’s happening in America.
The founders of our country held to a Judeo-Christian worldview. They knew that when laws are subject to the whims of the powerful, its citizens lose rights and freedoms. As the kings of ancient Israel failed to live under God’s laws, Congress has benefits that they’ve given themselves that the average person can’t even dream of. Yet, God planned for government to live at the same economic level and under the same laws as those it governed. If today’s members of Congress had to live like the rest of us, many of our current problems would be solved.
Please understand this is not partisan and is true of anyone in Congress. For example, even a freshman in Congress makes more than airline pilots, dentists and nearly makes what a doctor makes though in Congress no education or experience is required. Admittedly, there should be realistic income for setting the laws and running the country. Yet, being a member of Congress includes a minimum annual paycheck of $174,000 which is more than twice as high as the average private-sector salary of $73,000.
Healthcare. Millions of Americans are anxious about the cost of their healthcare, but not members of Congress, their staffs and other federal employees. They enjoy special health care privileges denied to the rest of us. Members of Congress have a large portion of their health insurance subsidized by the public despite making more than four times than those at the poverty level. And unlike doctors and patients in other federal health programs, congressional and federal employees, as well as the doctors and hospitals that care for them, are not drowning in a sea of regulations. The increasingly unintelligible rules, regulations, and guidelines afflicting Medicare largely are absent from their healthcare program.
Insider Trading. Despite passing the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, Congress gutted the primary disclosure component. While still making it difficult to make trades on inside information, this means a member of Congress doesn’t have to publicly disclose his/her trades and potential insider knowledge. Perhaps that’s why some 50% of Congress is made up of millionaires, compared with only 1% of America as a whole. How do you become a multi-millionaire earning $174,000 annually?
Retirement Benefits. According to figures from the Census Bureau, the average Social Security recipient will net $15,000 a year in benefits while a public workers' pension will average around $26,000. By contrast, a retired member of Congress who's served 20 years will average $59,000 annually in pension benefits. On top of that, members of Congress (actually all federal workers) have access to the Thrift Savings Plan, a 401(k)-like investment vehicle with fees of just 0.03%. To put it into context, this means just $0.27 in fees for every $1,000 for their Thrift Savings Plan, compared with the average 401(k), which charges around $5 in fees for every $1,000! Over a lifetime, it means thousands less in fees for congressional employees compared to public and private-sector workers.
Office Expenses. The Congressional formula includes staff salaries, office expenses, travel and office space. The amount for staff and general office expenses are the same for each office. But if a district is far from DC, has many inhabitants or expensive real estate, they’re given a larger budget than a rural district close to Washington. The annual rate is nearly $1 million, yet still more than half the members of the House exceed that.
First, these examples are a small portion of the many perks members of Congress receive. This also does not include either the executive or judicial branches. The Bible is up to date. God saw this coming. He knows the darkness of human hearts and that those in power often abuse it.
Second, all of the governments of this world are temporary solutions. Only the gospel and transformed lives can truly make a difference in the culture and in eternity. Yet, where are most of us focused? Be honest. Which do you talk about more – the government or the gospel? Only one will have an influence on the community around us? If you could never talk about the government again or never share the gospel again, which one would bother you more? To be honest, it’s tempting to talk about the evils of government that’s far away because it doesn’t hold you and me accountable to be salt and light and Christlike so that those in our circle of influence see the transformation that the gospel makes in our own lives.
Christians know that our world is a disaster. We must be wise and invest our lives where we can make a difference both now and in eternity. Here’s a vital question: Am I more concerned about where my family, neighbors or co-workers will spend eternity or about who they vote for?
Can
we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web
page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more
about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus
changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org
to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.
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