Article 1, Section 6, Paragraph 2
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
No other Office of Benefit
Greed is always attacks righteousness.
"Emoluments" is defined as "That profit arising from an office or employment; that which is received as a compensation for services, or which is annexed to the possession of office as salary, fees, and perquisites" [fee allowed by office].
There was a big danger that lawmakers could gain consensus to form official posts that had salaries where they could serve during their term in office.
The secondary concern would be that when a person was elected to serve, he could be given committee chairmanships or such things that could come with a big salary. Since these are controlled by the legislators, this could be used as bribery to aid in a political machine. The result would be a "good old boys’ club" where people are assigned spots based on the consensus of those in power.
Exodus 23:8, "And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous."
In government, there is a grave danger in anything that appears to be bribery. Officials cannot accept gifts of any kind or in any form. The law allows for their expenses to be met, and they should not be looking for anything more.
"Gifts" unduly influence politicians and officers. They cause them to be blind to the facts, even if the person is normally "wise." The things that righteous people say get distorted and manipulated into being things that are the opposite of what is right.
There are many other penalties for those who are hoping to hoard power and money. One is the effects on a person's own family.
Proverbs 15:27, "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."
Another real danger is the fact it demonstrates a false sense of priorities. This results in a total lack of judgment. Such a person will overstep just for a meal!
Proverbs 28:21, "To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress."
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