Salvation does not depend on what we do - it depends on accepting what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross.  However, if salvation is real, the new relationship with Jesus should result in a new desire to do what pleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:8-11).  John the Baptist was preparing people to meet Jesus (Luke 3:4-6), and was scathing towards those who thought of baptism as a religious formula to get right with God, when their hearts did not want to be right - and their behaviour was unchanged.

Authority brings the temptation of exploitation. In those days, tax collectors were not the regulated civil servants of democratic governments; they had little accountability.  They demanded more money than the tax required and kept the difference for themselves.  They were rich but socially despised Jews, who served both their Roman masters and their own greedy hearts.  If they were to confess their sins in the waters of baptism, their ambitions and workstyle had to change (Luke 19:1-10).  Like many military conscripts, Roman soldiers were disciplined when under command.  However, they were far from home in a culture which restricted their pagan worship and practices.  They felt under-paid, and probably were.  So, they resorted to getting their perks from false arrests, and demanding bribes (Ecclesiastes 7:7).  John was quite clear – don't do it!

Both groups had the same problem.  They thought they would be content if they had more money and more power.  It is still a common illusion among officials today, and not just them.  It is a frequent expression of the sin of greed which entangles many in a personal web of self-deceit.  It is frequently seen in commerce, academia, learned and caring professions as well as being an ambition of students and poorly paid workers.  What is the solution?  In one word, "Jesus" (Philippians 4:10-13)!

When His gospel is embraced, His sacrifice is respected and His love received, a new contentment comes to quieten the restless agitation of greed (Hebrews 13:5).  Christ brings a contentment which argues against the agonising fears, which predict disaster if we do not have more than we have been given.  1 Timothy 6:6-10 says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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."  Practise the life of Christ today. It will start a revolution of blessing wherever you work.