Making Restitution (part 1)

After hearing about restitution, people have come to me in a quandary. In years past they have stolen things. They do not remember the name of the place even if they remember the town. Or if they remember the place, it has long been out of business or the person has died or moved. In any case they do not know how to make restitution.

The answer is in verse 8 of Numbers 5:

The LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged. But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the Lord and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for him.’” (Numbers 5:5-8 NIV)

You do not get to keep the money. Give it to the Lord!

(An excerpt from On Being a Christian by Jim Wilson)

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