Everyone, somehow, hoards power, loath power or is in the process of acquiring power. In this world, some wield more power than others.
In the middle of the world wide coronavirus pandemic, US President Donald Trump announced that his government will cut its contribution to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is approximately $65 million. The US claims that the WHO failed to act against China for failing to inform the world body in time about the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
Chinese officials had earlier claimed that the US military unleashed the virus in Wuhan late last year. The US seems to be punishing the WHO for the failings of China. But in the course of that, other unintended persons will also suffer. Less funds to the WHO means less funding for health programs in developing nations.
An African saying says that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. In this case, it is the vulnerable people in the developing world who will suffer in the conflict between the US and China. Most of these vulnerable people reside in Africa. Africa has a big stake in this game of ping-pong.
Theologically, (political) power and authority are seen as gifts given to a community through a person of power for those without it. The primary reason power is given is in order to establish ordered patterns of life together. Those who find themselves in a position of advantage in the system are responsible to use their wealth and power for the benefit of the majority disadvantaged.
Psalm 72 in the Bible is considered by some to be the 'charter of kingship'. It defines what is expected of those who lead and those who are led. As such, power can be abused and it can also be used on behalf of the poor. For this reason, there is need to hold the wielders of power accountable to those for whose sake they have been given it.
According to this concept, then, the US and China, who have relative advantage over other nations, ought to use their wealth and power for the common good of the world. But are they doing so currently? The answer is clearly NO! They are blame-gaming.
Further, the Bible says that, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b).
It means that if a person has more power, he is expected to be more responsible. A person is bestowed with power because it is assumed that he has been tried and passed the test.
In the current situation, who will hold these superpowers to account for the power they wield? President Trump and the Chinese President Xi Jinping ought to know that it is the innocent and poor people of the world who will suffer because of their power games.
But the situation above is just the big picture. At a personal level, how does this scenario look like?
We all find ourselves in positions where we wield power over other people. You could be a father or a mother at home, or you could be an employer or a supervisor at work. Do you realize that the power you have is donated? How are you using your donated power?
If the power is donated, it goes without saying then that the giver of power needs accountability. Are you accountable to God? Do you use your power for personal gain or for the gain of those under your care?
To whom much is given, much will be expected, in this life and in the life to come. Where do you stand in this scenario?
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