Rewarding bad behavior?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15894921/

X-Boxes for thieving vandals on drugs? Is that what we are to take away from this passage of Scripture?

Matthew 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

I know we can best combat evil with good, or overcome hate with love, but what good or love is there in giving X-boxes to 18 and 19 year old MEN who have so viciously attacked a "house of God"? Is there no better way to show love to these MEN?

In the passage above it says, "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust", it does not say, - he maketh the sun to rise on the evil, and sendeth rain on the unjust -, the good and the just are blessed as well. So why would a church shower these MEN with gifts that are not being given as rewards to those who have behaved well?

Should these MEN be forgiven? Absolutely.
Should there be consequences for their actions? Yep.
Should the church love them and share the Gospel with them? Absolutely!!!
But X-Boxes?!?

 

Also from the article...

"We've collected several hundred dollars' worth of gift cards, Xboxes and controllers, a DVD, a VCR," Reimer said. "All three young men still live with their parents or grandparents, so we hope the message will be clear."

These men live with their parents and grandparents. So why not find out what these families need and make gifts to the families? Certainly these young men have no need for Xboxes, DVD players, and VCRs.

I happen to agree with the church's general idea, but the way they went about it does not seem wise. Do you think these men may have fun playing Grand Theft Auto on their new Xboxes?