Restitution related to immoral objects

The rules for theft in the Old Testament, of usually paying back the robbed person with extra thrown in, leads me to believe that in the case of theft, you should come clean and make restitution. Look at Zacchaeus, Luke 19:8-10, who gives back to all he stole from, four times what it was he stole. Jesus gives him praise.

The only thing on the line when it is something immoral you stole, is your image. Something, that was shot by your theft and coming clean on it, anyway.

Of course, how to go about making restitution for theft comes down to wisdom. Don't do something stupid or something that will start a fight. For instance, instead of telling someone face-to-face you stole stuff, if you think that may start a fight, tell him on the phone or online. The key thing seems less the restitution than reconciliation, which is the real goal of what you do.

 

I'm not sure why you would steal those things. Stealing them doesn't deal with the issue of the heart, nor does it prevent the sin.

The fornicator will still fornicate, a lack of condoms won't stop it.

Whether or not you can steal illegal drugs is open to debate since possession of them is illegal and should be confiscated by the police.

Stealing is still a sin, God never qualified "Thou shalt not steal." as only applying to items relating to righteousness or not applying to items related to sin.

If a person is a glutton will you steal his food?

If he watches too much TV will you steal his TV's, video players, etc.?

If he spends too much time working on his car will you steal his car?

If he watches the neighbor women lounging by their pool will you board up his windows?

We are called to shine a light in this dark world, not remove all temptations and possibilities of sin.

Even God did not remove the possibilities of sin or the temptations that are here on this earth.