The news has been full of ‘The Scandal of the MPs’ Expenses’. Although they are on a system of allowances rather than the refunded expenses that many of us are more familiar with, it seems that at least some MPs have questions to answer. What’s struck me is the contrast in expenditure between individual MPs. Some have spent a few hundreds of pounds, and others many thousands. You would think that, roughly, they all have much the same needs – yes, the amount might vary according to how far a constituency is from London – but the difference between the greatest and the smallest seems remarkably large. For my own expenses as a ‘minister of religion’, the Inland Revenue is very clear about what is a legitimate need, and what is not – something that is nice or useful to have but not essential to carry out my job. A cassock is essential but a shirt with a dog-collar is not. For some MPs it seems that things like a swimming pool or a trouser press are essential. And when many people are struggling to find enough money to cover the real essentials, such as food, electricity and somewhere to live, the use of public money for what most of us would put in the ‘luxury’ category seems to be very unreasonable and just wrong, whether the system allows it or not.
As usual, Jesus was here first in the question of what it’s essential to have. He feeds the hungry crowds that follow him into the countryside with bread and fish, a little that goes a long way. And when the rich young man asks him how he can have eternal life Jesus tells him that his wealth is in the ‘nice to have but not essential’ category. He tells him to give it away so that he can focus on what is essential. To another man with the same question Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan to remind him that it isn’t money, or swimming pools or trouser presses, that’s important. What is important – what is essential – is where our focus is. Is it on those around us, and on God, or on ourselves? Do we treat family, friends and neighbours, as well as strangers, with love, kindness and compassion? Or are we so focussed, like some MPs may seem to be, on ourselves and what we want – whether we need it or not – that we forget everyone else?
No doubt there will be a new system for MPs’ expenses. We can hope that there will also be a new understanding of what is essential for a good life.
(My 'vicar's letter' for the parish magazine)
