BIBLE DOCTRINE 6: RESTITUTION
God’s Word teaches:
That Restitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellow men, restoring stolen things to their rightful owners, paying debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and man – Genesis 20:1-8,14-18; Exodus 22:1-7; Leviticus 6:1-7; Numbers 5:6-8; 2 Samuel 12:1-6; Proverbs 6:31; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Matthew 5:23,24; Luke 19:8,9; Acts 23:1-5; 24:16; James 4:17; 5:16
Restoring stollen things.
Exodus 22:1 If 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. 22:2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 22:3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 22:4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution. 22:6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. 22:7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
Correcting falsehood.
Leviticus 6:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; 6:3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 6:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, 6:5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. 6:6 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: 6:7 And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.
Restitutions to the Lord.
Numbers 5:6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; 5:7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed. 5:8 But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD, even to the priest; beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him.
Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
Paying back debts.
Ezekiel 33:14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; 33:15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 33:16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
Settling offences.
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Settling false accusations.
Luke 19:8 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. 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
Good conscience
Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Restitution is the act of making amends for wrongs done against our fellowmen; restoring stolen or misappropriated things, properties or persons to their rightful owners; paying back just debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men. This is done whether the person injured knew it or not, for God knows
(Hebrews 4:13).
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
We receive forgiveness when we confess and forsake our sins.
We get cleansed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
When a man sins against God, we often find that other people suffer as a result of that sin.
It is also true that when a man sins against his neighbour, he sins against God in the same act, because one of God’s commandments has been broken.
God willingly forgives the sins committed against Him when there is repentance and forsaking of sin.
However, God requires that a man make amends to any person he has injured or wronged as a mark among other things, that repentance is genuine.
We need to bear fruit that signify to all that we have become new creatures indeed (Luke 3:8-14; Romans 8:1,2; Acts 24:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 3:12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 3:13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Making restitutions ensure that we have right relationship with our fellowmen after we are reconciled with God.
The Bible doctrine on restitution in practice and precept spans virtually all the dispensations of God’s dealings with men till present day.
The revelation of God’s will and word before the Mosaic laws demands that we make restitution
(Romans 1:19,20).
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Therefore, this teaching or doctrine of God’s word, which had been established many years before the law cannot be abolished with the law.
Restitution is part of the moral law.
Most sins committed by men are against God as well as their neighbour.
So repentance toward God for the children of Israel included restoration to man of all properties gained by fraud, lying or pretence of whatever kind (Exodus 21:18,19,22,26-36; 22:1-15; Leviticus 6:2-5; Numbers 5:6-8).
Rulers in Israel reflected and embraced this teaching on restitution.
It is vital today that rulers, temporal and spiritual reflect this commitment to God’s moral requirement for all men (cf.2 Samuel 16:5-8 with 19:16-23; Proverbs 6:30,31; 1 Kings 20:34; 2 Kings 8:1-6).
The prophets of Israel also preached, explained, and emphasized the need to make restitution by every backslidden Israelite who is returning to God (Nehemiah 5:6-13).
Nehemiah 5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. 5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. 5:9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? 5:10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. 5:11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. 5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
The prophets proclaimed and prophesied much of the coming Christ and the atoning sacrifice.
They were quick to recognize the need for the blood of the lamb to cleanse sins, yet they did not lessen God’s requirement of the necessity of restitution.
The ministry of preachers today is akin to that of the Old Testament prophets.
Restitution is a doctrine of Christ, confirming his word that “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled”.
Every believer must earnestly and whole- heartedly contend for and practice all that Christ taught (Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3-5; 19:8-10).
Zacchaeus’ encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ is an object lesson. He wanted nothing to stand between himself and salvation – not even his wealth, especially that part that was ill-gotten.
Though the people murmured that Jesus was going to be a sinner’s guest,
Jesus pronounced that salvation has come to Zacchaeus’ house since he as a son of Abraham not only by birth but now by faith, is ready to make right his life and wholly follow the Lord.
The salvation experience makes a person feel like returning all possessions that rightfully belong to others.
The Apostles in the early church also practiced and taught restitution.
In fact, the whole church of God lived by this teaching (Matthew 28:19,20; John 14:26; Acts 2:42; 16:4,5; Philemon 7-21).
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The rules of righteous living are just as high (or even higher), under the dispensation of grace, as those in the Old Testament.
Restitution is as much a part of the gospel as conversion or water baptism.
It is not a self- righteous act to merit pardon.
When a man is saved, he will not only make right matters of money such as theft, dishonest gains and unpaid bills; he will also confess his lies, slanderous reports, unjust criticisms, hatred, malice – those things in which one may have injured others in word or in deed.
One may say, “my brother or sister does not know that I talked evil of him.”
But what about the person to whom you talked? Without doubt you have harmed him, and perhaps he repeated it to others.
You should go to the one to whom you talked and confess it. It is better that we make right all previous wrongs here and now than face it in eternity.
The great ‘Counsellor’ who never lost a case can go before us and soften the hearts of those whom we have wronged (1 Timothy 5:24).
1 Timothy 5:24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
Making restitution can be likened to a spiritual warfare in which we need God’s help and wisdom to undertake for us and quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:10-12,16).
Some restitutions are delicate. These are restitutions that may implicate or bring injuries or harm to others that may be unsaved or the need to settle issues with individuals or organizations that may affect other people in an adverse way.
These also include cases in which we do not have clear leading from God’s word as to what steps to take.
For delicate restitutions, we need fervent prayers, wisdom and counseling from Spirit-filled preachers of God’s word who believe and teach the whole counsel of God (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6).
The civil laws in a country may not always govern in matters of restitution. For example, the law may provide a time limit for certain classes of debts and obligations, after which they become lapse; but no debts are outlawed with God.
Time cannot cancel moral obligations.
Restitution is usually considered at the time of salvation because God will only forgive when a man is willing, so far as it lies within his power, to make right every wrong that he has committed against others.
There would be need, however, throughout life as a Christian to be ready to make restitution where need be, when others are offended, for example, out of human error of judgment (Acts 23:1-5; Matthew 5:23,24).
God demands that restitution be made. A far-reaching benefit in God’s plan as regards restitution is that an undeniable testimony is directed to the people who otherwise might never seriously hear the story of the gospel.
A religion that compels a man to pay his just debts, restore back the things he has stolen, and uncover his crimes demands confidence from the men of the world.
When restitutions are made, and past wrongs are settled, the peace of God floods the believer’s heart. There is confidence towards God in prayer and the believer makes progress in the Christian life as sense of guilt is removed (Romans 8:1,2).
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Let us pray.
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