Let’s Talk About Restitution

They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done, adding an additional 20 percent and returning it to the person who was wronged.

Numbers 5:7

This is always a rather sensitive matter, but it shouldn’t be, for people who are truly repentant. It should also not become a source of guilt if we truly know that we’ve been fully forgiven. So, where do we draw the balance? 

The basis for making restitution is an Old Testament idea that is explicitly reiterated in the New Testament by Jesus. When asked to summarize the law (the same law that he came to fulfill, not to abolish), Jesus uses an interesting formulation. He said,‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”

In using this formulation, he was clearly drawing from Leviticus, a book we know he was thoroughly familiar with. Specifically, Leviticus 5 – 7. Leviticus 6, in particular looks to both the reasoning and the implementation of returning that which was taken, plus extra, to both the one offended and to the Lord against whom the offender has also sinned.

Restitution is a fairly simple property idea in law – a thief (however he took it) – should not be allowed to keep what he took, otherwise it makes a mockery of property rights. Furthermore, the purpose of the law is to keep people from sinning against their neighbors as well as the Lord, it removes the incentive to sin, and also provides clear consequences if sin occurs.

The Levitical approach, you will note, deals with both halves of the crime.

First, the victim gets his property back, plus profit (20% to be precise). Not only does the thief not profit, he loses. I find it interesting that the 20% “penalty” is equal to “two tithes,” namely one for the Lord, plus one for the neighbor.

Restitution is an outward manifestation of an inward desire for repentance. It is a sign before God and man that the heart has changed. God forgives, man benefits. 

Although your forgiveness is not dependent on restitution (God forgives us unconditionally, genuine repentance leads to a desire to correct wrongs. When someone becomes a Christian, he will have a desire, born of deep conviction to do good, and that includes making restoration whenever possible. 

So, if you feel God is leading you towards restitution in any part of your life, this is a reminder that you need to honor the Lord through your obedience. If you are unsure about how or where to start, seek your pastor’s counsel prayerfully. The God who sees your heart and your motive will surely guide you.

PRAYER

Dear God, thank you for reminding me again about the
importance of restitution. Thank you for the examples of the
saints of old who through it demonstrated their faith and
absolute commitment to you. If there are areas of my life
requiring restitution, please point me in those directions
and grant me the strength and courage to be able to do it in
Jesus name.