The cat is out of the bag. Rumors have been confirmed. There is no hiding it anymore. Rich people use loopholes to avoid taxes and get richer. Shocking. No one knew.
Well, actually the entire financial system knows. The bankers, lawyers, and electronic transferring agencies that exist for these purposes…yup, they all knew. My guess is, you’ve always suspected too.
Yet, it was swept under the rug. It was “winked” at. It may even have been “technically legal.” It is the kind of thing that people get away with as long as it isn’t out in the open. But now it is out, and it is causing havoc!
Of course, I’m talking about the Panama Papers, the name given to the documents leaked by an inside “whistle blower” at international firm, Mossack Fonesca. This firm has handled billions of dollars for Chinese, Russian, British, Pakistani, and other world leaders and the extremely wealthy.
The outcry is to be expected, especially, in America, where millions are currently preparing their taxes. The fact that the super-rich have been secretly avoiding taxation is turning countries upside down. Iceland’s Prime Minister resigned; Chinese and Russian leaders are taking heat; and in Britain, the Labour Party is demanding justice.
In all of this, I see a few good reminders for the church:
Remember that nothing is ever truly a secret. No matter what remains hidden in this world, it will be revealed in the next. There is no hiding from God. “If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there” (Psalm 139:8).
Remember that gaining the whole world is of little consequence if one loses their soul in the pursuit. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Remember that “fairness” is an illusion. Whether you have wealth in this life or not, keep focused on the righteousness of God and not on the wickedness of others. Asaph reminds us in Psalm 73 that focusing on others almost caused his own destruction. “My feet came close to stumbling. My steps had almost slipped. I was envious of the arrogant. As I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (2-3).
Our job is not to expose sin in other people or to root out their secrets. Some secrets will see the light of day in this life, and others will not. Our job is to comfort those in pain, hear the confession of one another, and to rebuke, admonish, and encourage with the truth in love and spirit.
As significant as the names in the Panama Papers appear to be, the Book of Life has a far more important list in it. Is your name written there? If you don’t know, or you would like to be sure, get in touch and let’s discuss!
