Article 1, Section 9, Paragraphs 7-8
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Accounting of Money Spent
Nothing is done in Secret.
When is the last time you saw this publication? It is published very regularly. There is even a daily report put out. In 2001, the annual report was 130 pages long! It is mostly a philosophy of the budget, but it does give some general specifics. It is sad that Americans do not have a copy right beside their own phonebook! Does anyone care to know where the Federal money goes? How about looking over one segment of the budget and asking questions and demanding we pay attention to where funds go?
U.S. Financial Report Cover
There are obvious reasons for this report to be required. The Government has to remember that it is using citizen money. Citizens need to know what they pay for when they pay taxes. They need to be able to object to needless expenditures, and have a say in how the government serves this Country.
This issue of accountability is important in all areas of Government as well as life. Christians learn quickly that everything they do must be honest, honorable, and above reproach. We will one day stand before the scrutiny of God. We want to be able to give a good accounting of our lives to God.
Romans 14:12, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
Matthew 12:36, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
Luke 8:17, "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad."
The Scriptures mention that the Spiritual leaders must be able to give a good accounting to God about the souls with them. A poor accounting is a very sad situation for all involved.
Hebrews 13:17, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
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