When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. - Proverbs 29:2 NKJV.

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. - John 3:19-21 NKJV.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. - Matthew 5:14-15 NKJV.

Los Rios Community College in Rancho Cordova, California is getting a great deal on some land for a satellite campus. They had planned to buy the land for $8.6 million dollars; however, the college backed out of the deal about three years ago. Now, the City of Rancho Cordova is using eminent domain to grab the same property, and they have a deal to sell the property for $4 million dollars to…Los Rios Community College. It looks like a $4.6 million dollar better deal for the college. Sam Fong is the owner of the property, and he says that the property has been in his family for 40 years. Fong said this about the eminent domain action against his property, “…they are absolutely stealing this property, and it's just un-American.”

Religion of all types is losing influence among the leaders of the United States. At least that is what 62% of the people in a recent survey believe (As reported on Fox News). Maybe that is the reason we are seeing so much corruption among governmental officials. On the IRS.gov website there is a listing of examples of convictions for public corruption in 2009:

Former Director of Linden Housing Rehabilitation Program Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Taking Bribes

Illinois Mayor's Assistant Sentenced for Misapplication of Property and Filing False Income Tax Return

Administrator of the Lackawanna County's Workers Compensation Fund Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for fraud, money laundering, and tax charges

Former Florida County Sheriff Sentenced to 71 Months in Prison

Former Louisiana Film Commission Director Sentenced in Bribery Scheme

Former Pennsylvania State Senator Sentenced on Fraud, Tax, and Corruption Charges

Leader of D.C. Property Tax Refund Fraud Scheme Sentenced to 17 ½ Years; Ordered to Pay Over $48 Million

Veteran Florida County Commissioner Sentenced in Public Corruption Probe

There are ten more listed for 2009 but these are only examples, and you have to assume there are far more than those listed who were convicted. In addition, you have to wonder how many more have gotten away at least for now with their crimes?

Then there are the three city administrators in Bell, California, who were paying themselves huge salaries. It may have been legal, but it certainly was not right. They resigned from their positions after their salaries were revealed to the citizens of the city.

The lesson of Bell, California is that when the evil is exposed it leads to a correction of the corruption. We as Christians are the “light of the world,” and we need to let the “light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4)” shine into those dark places of this world. We know that we need to pray for all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3) but often those prayers will lead to actions to expose the evil of corruption.

As the United States turns further away from God, we can only expect to see an increase in corruption in government and in private business. The result will be more pain and anguish for the people.

Where do you need to shine your “light” today?