Sin of Bribery?

[newcalling]

I guess this is the right place for this thread, but I understand if it’s moved. I’m just wondering if there is anything scriptural against bribery? I can understand there might be adjacent sins to bribery, but is bribery itself often a sin? I guess if you’re bribing a warlord not to terrorize your village, and there’s no other recourse, it’s not a sin. However, I help my friend who manages a motel, where we both reside. The boss asked him to bribe the garbage man to take all the garbage, when he’s only supposed to take 4 cans worth, because the motel is extra full right now. My friend wasn’t here, so I had to offer the garbage man the bribe. The bribe was refused, but I felt uncomfortable even offering it. I guess there could have been the adjacent sin of causing him to go against his work contract, breaking trust with his employer. My friend, the manager, is also Catholic. I didn’t feel his employer was really giving him a choice, and he would risk losing his job and a home for both of us if we refused to try offering the bribe. Did I commit a sin by even offering the bribe? In what cases do you think bribery itself is sinful?

 

[joeybaggz]

I guess this is the right place for this thread, but I understand if it’s moved. I’m just wondering if there is anything scriptural against bribery? I can understand there might be adjacent sins to bribery, but is bribery itself often a sin? I guess if you’re bribing a warlord not to terrorize your village, and there’s no other recourse, it’s not a sin. However, I help my friend who manages a motel, where we both reside. The boss asked him to bribe the garbage man to take all the garbage, when he’s only supposed to take 4 cans worth, because the motel is extra full right now. My friend wasn’t here, so I had to offer the garbage man the bribe. The bribe was refused, but I felt uncomfortable even offering it. I guess there could have been the adjacent sin of causing him to go against his work contract, breaking trust with his employer. My friend, the manager, is also Catholic. I didn’t feel his employer was really giving him a choice, and he would risk losing his job and a home for both of us if we refused to try offering the bribe. Did I commit a sin by even offering the bribe? In what cases do you think bribery itself is sinful?

I guess you could call bribery a sin against the seventh commandment; a form of stealing. However from your post, I don’t think I’d call what you did bribery. Recently I had some furniture delivered. The agreement was that they would deliver the furniture into my dwelling. There was nothing in the purchase agreement about them removing the crating and other “trash”. I slipped the guys a $20 and asked them if they’d take it with them. They were glad to do so. I kinda thought of it more as a “tip.” Sort of like palming the Maitre’d at a fancy restaurant for a better table. I really don’t think what you did was bribery and IMO you are being a little overly scrupulous. But it is your conscience.

Shalom

 

[Bonnie]

Ask your priest.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

I think of bribery as doing something or making an offer to someone to do something sneaky or underhanded so that would be a sin and not only you would sin, but the person who takes the bribe.
A tip or a reward for a job or service well done is a show of gratitude or appreciation in an open, honest manner. You have to admire the garbage man who refused the bribe. You need to speak to your confessor about this and be brave enough not to do it in the future.

Many waitresses depend on their tips from happy customers as most of them are not overpaid. Peace.

 

[peter26]

Here’s one for you

And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?

Isaiah 33:12-18