“If I serve God, I can accept his will. In the case of a bribe, however, I am willing to replace God’s intervention with money, which is supposed to speed something up, to make a shortcut,” says PETER HALUŠŤOK (50), co-author of the Bible and finance project.
PETER HALUŠŤOK (1974) lives in Košice, is married, has three children. For years he worked in the financial sphere, today he deals with commercial and investment activities in the field of real estate. He is dedicated to spreading the teachings of the Holy Scriptures on the issue of money and property, and is the co-founder of the Bible and Finances project.
Where to look for passages in the Holy Scriptures that talk about corruption?
In the Book of Exodus it is stated: “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds even those whose eyes are open, and perverts the words of the righteous” (Ex 23, 8). In the Catholic translation of the Bible, the word gift is used in the given verse, in the latest ecumenical translation the word bribe. But the meaning is the same because it defines what happens if we are willing to violate Christian principles for money.
Will the New Testament also help us with orientation?
Yes, just mention the story of the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus. When it remained empty, the high priests, after consulting with the elders, gave them a lot of money to say that while they were sleeping, Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body. So the soldiers gave false testimony for money. We know that bearing false witness is not right, and we also know from the Old Testament that money blinds the eyes. Under their influence, we suddenly begin to doubt whether it is necessary to always be honest, and we do something that we would not do otherwise. Judas also loved Jesus, but he betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver. It is important to realize Jesus’ words that we cannot serve both God and mammon.
How to apply it to the topic of corruption?
If I serve God, I can accept his will in my life. However, in the case of a bribe, I am willing to replace God’s intervention with money, which is supposed to speed something up, to make a shortcut. If we choose a form that is against the criminal law, the word of God or the morals of a Christian, then I think it is not correct.
Can you give a specific example?
The child was not admitted to the school, but I have contact with the representative of the school, who indicated that if a donation was found, the child would be admitted. And now it’s about whether I will figure out in prayer whether it is even God’s will for my child to go to that school, and whether I will hand it over to his holy hands. I can only do this if I truly believe that God is with me in my life. The second option is to take it into your own hands and give the money in an attempt to secure the child’s future, which rationally makes sense to me, because I think about his good. But I’m getting to the point where my heart has decided to go to safety instead of accepting God’s action.
It’s easier said than done…
That’s right. However, we are to bring glory to God in everything we do in our lives, and I don’t think using monetary or material bribes is the way God wants us to honor him. Even my own son did not get into the school we had chosen as a family. How did it turn out? Today I hear only negative things about her. On the contrary, in the school that we had second in line and accepted him there, he feels happy, blessed with friendships and a good team. If I had decided it for God, I would blame myself for it in retrospect. God does not want us to blame ourselves and feel uneasy, and in order for God to bless us, we should avoid sin. A Christian is supposed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, so he should obey the law.
The use of “observable” is justified by the fact that everyone does it, and otherwise we would not have accomplished anything. What do you say to such a view?
Again, I recommend reading in the Holy Scriptures, in the twelfth chapter of the Letter to the Romans, it is written that we should not be conformed to this world. So when someone else does something, it doesn’t mean we have to too. When we had a debate with entrepreneurs about honesty, their reaction was that if we have to do it this way, then we won’t even go into business, because it won’t pay off for us. I’ll tell you the truth, we left shocked.
You yourself run a business and move in these circles. Is it really possible to make a living here without bribes and acquaintances?
Yes, but sometimes it goes slower. God defines in the Book of Proverbs that the desire to get rich quickly is against his plans. This desire often leads us astray, and we are willing to sacrifice morals, health, and family relationships. Mammon breaks while God sanctifies.
Have you ever abused the fact that money allowed you to afford a lot?
When I was young and foolish, I felt that bribes made me untouchable on the road. There were no modern recording devices yet, there were only the eyes and ears of me and the policeman who stopped me for a traffic violation. It was just about how much he would ask. It’s sad, and I certainly wouldn’t do it again now. Everyone should bear the consequences of their actions and thus learn to be a better person.
In the ranking of corruption, Slovakia regularly ranks among the highest in the European Union. How does big corruption in politics, business, and justice affect small ones?
Very much. There are countries where there are big penalties for corruption. After all, if we use corruption in high places to justify our little one, then the whole world around us is going in the wrong direction. And when we consciously sin, our relationship with God deteriorates. It is difficult for us to say: God, I do my own thing, but you heal my daughter. As for politicians, today it is very difficult to remain firm in the faith in the face of the pitfalls that high politics offers. This also applies to large-scale business.
Do you have personal experience with this?
I worked in real estate, and when we were selling certain properties, the clients wanted us to keep some money out of the contract. I didn’t agree with that which I lost the whole business. Furthermore, I believe that sometimes we have to be prepared to lose something in order to maintain our integrity. I need money, but do I want to risk that God will stop blessing me? As I mentioned, we are to do everything for God’s glory. So God can ask: How do you glorify me with your business when you act like this? How can you set an example for others? When we build wealth through fraud, then we cannot say that God built it, for he is honest and just. We humans will never be perfect, but we can make choices. I refused the offer then, and I think I gained much more than I lost, firstly peace of mind. Otherwise, I would live in fear of what would happen if the detectives called me. I have already experienced being called to testify, and I could go there with peace of mind.
However, when we hear about million-dollar bribes in high places, are you surprised that the common man relativizes his guilt if he “only” gives, say, a bottle of alcohol?
We can go back to the Bible verse that a bribe blinds. The result is a dulling of the conscience, and there is a danger that a person will gradually get used to these things, just as he might get used to infidelity and other matters. We Christians have to take up the cross of Jesus and do things honestly. Either you believe in God or your own strength, I don’t see a third option. When we give a bribe, we usually feel less guilt than if we accept it. But what if the person to whom we gave it received them in large quantities, they will find out and call us to court? Are we going to lie that we didn’t bribe him? If we use a lie, that is again a sin, and this is how we get more and more entangled in it. Of course, the situation when we give the bottle or the dessert after the fact should be viewed differently as a thank-you. However, not out of the calculation that in two weeks we will need this person again. It is necessary to distinguish the circumstances and whether I really have a clear conscience.
Can we take a situation where we can help ourselves with bribes as a certain test?
It is a test of our character. If we pass through it, we gain in God’s eyes. A person should perceive that God is standing somewhere near him and watching how he behaves. What if these are all trials and God wants to bless us more if we endure? However, when we use bribes, a verse from the Bible may apply to us: He who is dishonest in a little is dishonest also in much.
However, we perceive serious illness or other misfortune as a test of faith.
We often exclude the area of money from the Christian life. We tell ourselves that faith is one thing and managing our finances is another. In reality, however, it is closely related, which is why even Jesus taught a lot through stories and parables related to possessions. As the seeds sown in the ground were choked with thorns and thistles, so having riches can choke our faith. Last but not least, we also set an example for our children.
How to leave these trails of small and large bribes trampled in our society?
