INTRODUCTION

Sin has consequences, but equally as important is the truth that sin brings responsibility. If a man steals, he is to make it right. If he steals another man, he can only make it right by suffering capital punishment (Exodus 21:16And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
See All...). If he steals another man's animals, he can make it right by restoring them with increase (Exodus 22:1If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
See All...). Unfortunately, the heart of man "is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
See All...), and he will do everything he can to avoid the responsibilities of sin. This, however, should only be a trait of the wicked. A man who gets right with the Lord should naturally look for ways to restore that which he has stolen (Luke 19:1-10 [1] And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. [3] And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. [4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. [6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. [9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) It is never right to sin no matter what the reason. A man who is hungry has no right to steal. If caught, he must repay (Proverbs 6:30-31 [30] Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; [31] But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
  See All...).
• Have you stolen anything without making the proper restoration? Is there an opportunity to restore what has been stolen at this point?
• Why is it not enough to stop stealing? How could it be a good testimony for the Lord if you repaid the things that you have stolen, even if those things were stolen years ago?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to remind you of things you need to restore.
• Ask God to help you follow through on what needs restoring.

HYMN

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

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