Doing What is Right

Dear Friends,

“’Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.’”
Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)

These verses from Matthew were recently brought to mind when it appeared that an expensive watch had been stolen. We had hired a group of ladies to do some work at the house. After they left, we discovered that Bonnie’s watch was missing. We turned the house upside down to make sure that we hadn’t somehow misplaced it, but it was gone.

During our morning devotions, Bonnie shared her feelings. “I feel a surrealistic peace. I should be angry; instead, I am sad. Of course, I’m bothered that something is gone, that our privacy has been violated, but it saddens me to think about the desperation of the person who took it. I’m afraid our friend may have hired someone who betrayed her trust. What should we do?

“O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Do what is right: First, we prayed. Then we collected the few valuables that would be easy for someone to walk off with, and placed them in a location where we could secure them. Since we pray, “Lead us not into temptation”, we surely don’t want to be a source of temptation to anyone else.
“Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” Proverbs 2:11 (NLT)

Doing what was right also involved discussing with the woman in charge what had happened. Rather than accusing, Bonnie simply explained that something was missing, and asked her if she would be on the lookout for it. The reaction of the woman evidenced deep concern for us.

To love mercy: When one of the workers asked if we had called the police, Bonnie responded, “I would not want to accuse anyone without evidence. The watch can be replaced; I’m concerned about the person who took it.”

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1 NIV

Walk humbly with your God: I’d be kidding if I told you having the watch stolen didn’t bother us. Although our immediate reaction was quite gracious, our discussions over the weeks that followed have at times been less charitable.

However, we were both humbled when we had to visit the County Courthouse in Santa Ana to take care of a real estate matter. To get to the building, we passed through a plaza where several dozen tents had been erected — temporary dwellings for the homeless. We were saddened and angered that, in a land of such abundance, people had been reduced to such a pitiful state. Proverbs 30:8a-9 reminds us, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

Four weeks after the watch disappeared, it “mysteriously” reappeared. Bonnie opened a cabinet we visit practically every day and there in front of my electric toothbrush sat the watch. Did we overlook it for four weeks?

Hmmm … Did Saint Anthony, whom our Catholic friends recognize as the patron saint of lost items, work some kind of a miracle? Or, did the person who took it repent and return it? We may never know, but we gained much more than a watch. We gained an understanding of why we must do all we can to obey God’s Word and avoid judging others.

Verse for the week: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ