I’m trying to understand why many of my friends and family members are supporting Donald Trump for President. Here, I address a reason given by many Trump supporters, including Evangelicals for Trump.

“Who better to fix our broken government than one who has taken advantage of the government with campaign donations and exploiting tax loopholes?”

Trump is knowledgeable on some issues. He claims to have used campaign donations to buy influence from politicians and to have used the complex tax code to his advantage, enabling him to live a lavish lifestyle while paying little or no federal income tax. The New York Times recently obtained some pages from Trump’s 1995 income tax returns showing he claimed a loss of $916 million and paid no federal income taxes that year. It would be expected that this loss would shield him from paying income tax for years to come, possibly eighteen years.

If taking advantage of a flawed system is a qualifier for public office, Trump is qualified. He has mocked our laws with campaign donations for favors, tax evasion schemes (and draft evasion) and boasted about it in his books.

But, does that really qualify someone for public office at any level? Would you hire a hacker to head up cyber security in your business?

Of course not. Most hackers keep on hacking instead of working for law enforcement. It is more profitable. You might hire a repentant hacker to advise you on cyber security. Key words: “repentant” and “advise.”

There are many ways to become knowledgeable about a problem, but more important than knowledge is motivation. Has Donald Trump’s motives changed? What would keep a President Trump from using his power as he has in the past: to his advantage and the detriment of all others? His policy proposals may not be specific, but he has promised to lower the tax rate for the wealthiest Americans, including himself. Additionally, knowing about the problem and knowing how to fix it are two very different things. An addict knows a ton about the problems of drug addiction. But it takes a recovering addict to help you solve a drug problem.

Trump is a Successful Businessman

The argument above is part of the larger argument that goes like this: Donald Trump is a very successful businessman who has amassed a vast amount of wealth. Since he knows how to run a successful business, he is better qualified to make the business of government run efficiently and profitably.

We need a president who understands business; That’s for sure. Is Donald Trump a successful businessman? Let’s look at debt.

Our national debt is $19.5 Trillion, almost double what it was eight years ago when President Obama took office. DOUBLE! Federal Debt per person is about $60,339. That means 85% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent to service the debt – mostly interest. We’re buying time. Social Security is paying out far more than it’s taking in. That’s not sustainable.

Why is no one talking about this? Well, you don’t get elected by promising to raise taxes and reduce spending. Trump is promising to cut taxes for the wealthy and significantly raise defense spending. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a bipartisan think tank (CRFB) estimates that Donald Trump’s “fiscal proposals as they are today would add $5.3 trillion to the nation’s debt in the first decade. That would push debt held by the public to 105% of GDP by 2026, up from 86% projected under current policies.” (CNN/Money) Hillary Clinton’s proposals would increase the national debt by $200 Billion, a fraction of Trump’s $5 Trillion increase.

Trump has called himself the King of Debt. We don’t really know how much of his lavish lifestyle is supported by debt. He refuses to release his income tax returns. (Note: Hillary Clinton and every candidate for president since Richard Nixon have released their tax returns.) But his 1995 tax records show a loss of $916 million (see above). So, we can believe him when he says he is the King of Debt. With Trump at the helm of USA Corp., he’ll be losing that kind of of money on a daily basis. Correction: WE will be losing that kind of money, daily!

Wealth and Stewardship

Here’s the think that perplexes me about Evangelical Christian voters. Why are we snookered by the allure of wealth? Why are we buying into our culture’s measure of success by counting dollars? First, anyone can fake wealth by taking on debt. And a person can fake great wealth by taking on great debt. I’m sure you’ve read this: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7) We could paraphrase this to say “the King of Debt is actually the servant to his creditors.” So we ask, who is Donald Trump serving? It’s not you and me. Is it Russian Oligarchs? This is another reason why Donald Trump should follow precedent and release his taxes. It would  begin to let us know who he is doing business with and to whom does he owe money. Who is he serving?

I’m tempted here to reproduce a few of my finer stewardship sermons, but I’ll just cite a few Scripture samples to remind you what God says about stewardship and wealth.

 

“Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.”
Proverbs 22:4

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Proverbs 22:7

“Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
Proverbs 13:11

“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.”
Proverbs  21:20

“Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Proverbs 3:9-10

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:9–10

“Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them.
By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19

 

Previously: God Can Use Anybody: Balaam’s Ass and We’re Not Electing a Sunday School Teacher

Next – the two strongest reasons Evangelicals give for supporting Trump:

“The Presidency is 4 maybe 8 Years; The Supreme Court is Forever.”

and the most common argument from Evangelicals for Trump:

“If we don’t elect Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton will be president”

Note: The opinions expressed on this website are mine, informed by Scripture, reflection, discussion and prayer.
They may not be the views held by my church, which welcomes all, no matter how they vote, and takes no position on candidates or election issues.