I find the wording
of this verse interesting. Check it
out.
Proverbs 6:30-31(NKJV)
30 People do not despise a thief
If
he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
31 Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold;
He may have to give up all the substance of his house.
Couple of things
here. First is the motive issue. This Scripture seems to be saying that it is understandable if someone steals
to keep themselves from starving, not to despise them for doing it because they
were desperate.
For me the question it raises is are we then to assume that we should despise a thief that just steals for the fun of it? Now I'm not suggesting that we go hating people for stealing but what I think this is saying is that it is OK to deal more harshly with someone who is a career thief vs. someone who steals just to eat. Make sense?
That being said, the Scripture goes on to make the point that even the starving man, if caught, still has to pay the penalty for his crime, even if it costs everything he has.
For me the question it raises is are we then to assume that we should despise a thief that just steals for the fun of it? Now I'm not suggesting that we go hating people for stealing but what I think this is saying is that it is OK to deal more harshly with someone who is a career thief vs. someone who steals just to eat. Make sense?
That being said, the Scripture goes on to make the point that even the starving man, if caught, still has to pay the penalty for his crime, even if it costs everything he has.
Considering we serve
a just and merciful God that makes sense to me.
The mercy part is in the compassion of understanding the reason the
starving man stole but justice is still served through the penalty.
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