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We read in The Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,…

So, it follows that if governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that all of our elected officials would remember that their constituents — particularly those who are duly qualified to vote — are their bosses.

In fact, the “Annual Comprehensive Financial Report For The Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022” — prepared by the South Carolina Comptroller General’s Office — includes on page 15 the “State of South Carolina Organizational Chart” that clearly shows that “Voters” are at the very top. See HERE.

In that state organizational chart, we see that the voters are over all 3 branches of South Carolina state government:

  1. Executive Branch;
  2. Legislative Branch; and
  3. Judicial Branch.

The Legislative Branch of South Carolina state government is comprised of the General Assembly, which consists of:

  • The South Carolina House of Representatives; and
  • The South Carolina Senate.

Every elected official in the South Carolina General Assembly takes an oath of office — imploring God for help — according to what is written in Article III, Section 26, of The Constitution of The State of South Carolina:

§ 26. Oath of office. Members of the General Assembly, and all officers, before they enter upon the duties of their respective offices, and all members of the bar, before they enter upon the practice of their profession, shall take and subscribe the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am duly qualified, according to the Constitution of this State, to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been elected, (or appointed), and that I will, to the best of my ability, discharge the duties thereof, and preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of this State and of the United States. So help me God.” (1954 (48) 1852; 1955 (49) 23.)

So, each duly qualified person who takes the oath — asking for God’s help and begins serving in the SC House and SC Senate — has these duties and responsibilities:

  • To exercise and discharge the duties of the office to which he/she has been elected (or appointed); and
  • To preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of this State and of the United States.

The preamble of The Constitution of The State of South Carolina reads:

We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same.

So, The South Carolina Constitution was established to preserve and perpetuate the liberties that God has given to us, for all of the people of the State of South Carolina.

That’s the high standard established in our state.

However, a standard higher than that — and which pre-existed The South Carolina Constitution — is The Holy Bible.

Recently when I was reading my Bible, I became curious to see what the Scriptures have to say about people receiving one bribe (or multiple bribes).

As it turns out, there are many Bible verses regarding bribes! Wow!

Some of these verses seem to fit perfectly in the context of five questions:

  1. How does the LORD God — our Creator, our Supreme Being, and our role model — view bribes?
    • For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.– Deuteronomy 10:17(*)
    • So, God is not partial and accepts no bribes.

    2. What does a bribe do?

    • A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. — Proverbs 17:23
    • Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart. — Ecclesiastes 7:7
    • In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD. — Ezekiel 22:12
    • For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate. — Amos 5:12

    So, taking bribes subverts the course of justice; corrupts the heart; can lead to the shedding of blood; can lead to other named, wrong behaviors; can lead one to forget God; and can lead to oppressing the righteous and depriving the poor of justice.

    3. What other activities seem to accompany the taking of bribes?

    • But [Samuel’s] sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. — 1 Samuel 8:3
    • Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. — Isaiah 1:23
    • Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. — Isaiah 5:22-23

    So, taking bribes can accompany being rebellious; befriending thieves; turning aside to dishonest gain; perverting justice; chasing after rewards; not defending the fatherless; turning aside the plea of the widow; drinking wine; mixing strong drink; acquitting the guilty; and depriving the innocent of justice.

    4. Does accepting a bribe bring a blessing or a curse?

    • ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ — Deuteronomy 27:25

    So, a person who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person is cursed.

    5. What specific instructions or commands are in The Holy Bible about bribery or accepting bribes?

    • Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. — Exodus 23:8
    • Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. — Deuteronomy 16:19
    • Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” — 2 Chronicles 19:4-7
    • Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large bribe lead you astray. — Job 36:18

    To me, all of these Bible verses about accepting and taking bribes are extremely clear!

    And given that clarity, it follows that — regardless of political party endorsement — none of our South Carolina State House Representatives and/or State Senators have fallen in the trap of accepting “bribes” (even if they are called by another name), right?

    Stay tuned to Palmetto State Watch for more information.

    * Scripture throughout this article has been quoted from the Berean Standard Bible.