A perfect accounting system

All photos courtesy of Unsplash. 

 

Sometimes, we wonder about the things that go wrong in some of the institutions that we have trusted for a long time, writes Bert Cargill of St Monans Gospel Hall. A recent one, still in the news, is the so-called Horizon scandal in the Post Office accounting system.

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

This scandal has become horrifying as more and more comes to light. We learned that the computerised accounting system had real and potential faults, which were recognised early on. But they were ignored and covered up, so innocent sub-postmasters were accused of theft and embezzlement when their books didn’t balance. It is a disgrace how they were treated as criminals to their great harm and loss, physical, mental and financial. And now the compensation they are due is still delayed while an official Inquiry drags on. For some, that compensation comes too late.

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

It is almost beyond belief that such practices existed for years in what was traditionally a trustworthy establishment.

But I am reminded of a perfect accounting system that has no flaws, injustices, or cover-ups. It belongs to God, who is called the Judge of all the earth. And we are all to face this accounting, for the Bible tells us that “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14.12).

None of us has a perfect account to present to God, far from it. But that old account can be cancelled, and a new and perfect one can be put in its place, given by Jesus Christ, who died for us to make this possible. If we trust Him, our guilt is removed, our sins are forgiven, and He gives us a perfect salvation. Is that not worth having?