Reducing waste, restoring trust

President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has dominated the news cycle. The initiative’s stated goal is to streamline federal operations, reduce wasteful spending, and bring greater accountability to government agencies. Given Musk’s reputation for disrupting stagnant industries and Trump’s commitment to reshaping Washington, this development has naturally sparked both enthusiasm and concern.

As a pastor committed to applying Christian principles to the public square, I approach DOGE through the lens of biblical stewardship and Abraham Kuyper’s doctrine of sphere sovereignty. Kuyper famously declared, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’” This conviction reminds us that government has a legitimate, God-ordained role but also a defined and limited one. The state is not an all-encompassing force but a distinct institution among others, including the family, the church, and the marketplace.

It’s important to remember that the state operates under prescribed moral and constitutional constraints. If DOGE succeeds in making government more efficient—working hand-in-hand with justice, fairness, and due process—it may reduce the temptation for the state to take on roles that properly belong to the private sector, local communities, and, ultimately, the church.

One of the fundamental biblical principles that applies to government is stewardship. Just as individuals and families are called to steward their resources wisely, civil authorities must do the same. The Bible teaches that the governing authorities are “God’s servants,” entrusted with the task of administering justice (Romans 13). This implies a duty to exercise their power with care, ensuring that the resources entrusted to them serve the common good rather than bureaucratic self-preservation.

In this regard, the work of DOGE represents an attempt to reclaim the proper role of government as a servant rather than a master. Wasteful spending and inefficiency are not neutral problems; they have real consequences. Every dollar lost in bureaucratic waste is a dollar that could have remained in the hands of hardworking families, businesses, or churches engaged in meaningful ministry. If DOGE succeeds in identifying and eliminating redundant programs, cutting unnecessary costs, and reducing the tax burden, it will be a step toward greater economic justice.

Trump’s suggestion that a portion of the savings generated by DOGE should be returned directly to American households is an intriguing proposal. Some have called it a populist gimmick, while others argue it could lead to inflationary pressures. But viewed through the lens of stewardship, it is a move worth considering. If the government has taken too much, then restoring what was over-collected is not a handout; it is a correction. Just as over-taxation can become a form of economic oppression (1 Samuel 8), so too can the state’s failure to acknowledge when it has more than it needs.

While there are strong reasons for Christians to appreciate the intent behind DOGE, there are also important concerns that should not be ignored. Chief among them is the question of accountability. While Musk has proven his ability to overhaul inefficient systems in the private sector, government is not the same as a business. The state operates under different moral and constitutional constraints, and efficiency alone is not the ultimate good. Justice, fairness, and due process must also be upheld.

In many ways, DOGE represents a test case for Kuyper’s vision of a government that respects sphere sovereignty. A properly functioning government is one that acts decisively within its jurisdiction while resisting the temptation to expand into areas best left to the family, the church, and civil society. If DOGE’s reforms result in a leaner, more effective state that protects freedoms rather than eroding them, then Christians should welcome them as a positive development.

However, government reforms, no matter how well-intentioned, will never bring about the kingdom of God. Our hope does not rest in bureaucratic efficiency or economic policy, but in the redemptive work of Christ. As we engage in discussions about government and policy, we must do so with the humility that recognizes both the necessity of civil institutions and their limitations.

In the end, supporting or critiquing DOGE is not a matter of partisan allegiance but of faithfulness to biblical principles. If it succeeds in reducing waste, restoring trust in government, and allowing other societal spheres to flourish, then it will have served a worthy purpose—but it must do so with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to justice. As Christians, our task is not simply to cheer for political victories but to advocate for policies that align with God’s design for human society.