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by A. A. Neale

A good friend of mine used to say that politics and government were a "necessary evil." The politicians were crooks, and government existed just to milk you of your hard-earned money, but at least, he would say, they're a little bit better than anarchy.

I beg to differ. According to the good Bible, government is ordained of God, and kings and governors are "sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well" (1 Peter 2:14). Politician is just another word for public servant, government people who make the machinery of bureaucracy work. And for all its bad name, bureaucracy, like government and politicians, is a necessary ... good.

Why, then, do we call necessary evils those things that God has given us for our good? Unless it's a lack of gratitude on our part and the upcropping of that old tendency to complain about God's merciful provisions for his people. Just as when Israel belly-ached about that bread of angels with a wonderful taste given to feed them in their trek across the desert.

There is no such thing as a necessary evil. If it's evil, it was never necessary. If it's necessary, it is not an evil thing.

Make up your mind which it is. I'll just thank the good Lord above for his mercy and wisdom when he gave us politicians and government. Even when the other party's in office.