Letters (July 27, 2011)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 26 July 2011 18:32

Another warning on the evils of grants

Recently, I wrote about the theft of money from our public treasury through the guise of “grant money” (Letters, June 15). We now have it reported in the Marion schools (June 22 issue). It is apparent that to deal with each grant money case individually will be a wearisome task.

The Bible says this is the way it will be before Christ returns. The book of Daniel says (referring to the antichrist), “he will wear down the saints.” I find this to be directed toward me today.

However, I find nowhere in the Bible that Jesus says to give it up. I Timothy 4 says, “correct, rebuke, encourage and instruct, for the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.” Jesus says, “occupy till I come.”

As you read this, do not lose sight of the emotional and personal spiritual consequences of stealing.

By that I mean mayors, town councils, county commissioners, principals, school boards, governors and presidents must live lives and lead the people in a manner that does not bring the emotional and personal problems of guilt in later years as people regret their behavior of bad decisions of grant money—the decision of taking money, stealing what did not belong to us.

This is Satan’s tool: Go ahead, take the money, do whatever pleases you for self. Self-gratification is always temporary.

When the false sense of gratification wears off, you are left with the emptiness of guilt. And it is harsh. And it will drive you deeper into sin to seek something to cover up self guilt.

The desire to want what does not belong to you is called coveting. The last and 10th commandment says, “thou shall not covert.” The Ten Command­ments are written in a descending order of behavior.

As you break each one, you are willing to do all that preceeded it. When you say you will covet, then you are willing to do all those that preceeded it. You may say, “I haven’t killed anybody.” You are willing to kill to get what does not belong to you.

By now some of you say you have rights to government programs. Confront yourself that if you believe in grant money, you believe in a government that says money will fix all of our problems.

Grant money does not require accountability for how it was spent or paid back. Ever! Are you that kind of person, unaccountable?

Men and fathers, let’s speak up about stealing, coveting, from our public treasury.

Let’s rebuke mayors who stand in front of citizens and say it’s all right.

Let’s rebuke teachers who stand in front of our children and say taking what is not yours is all right.

People, I trust this article one time is sufficient and need not be reminded.

God continues to give strength to be “His servant of civil courage.” (The recent report of my death was mistaken, enemies beware.) I try to live up to Psalm 1.

Anton Epp

Goessel