Correcting a child who steals?
Q: What would you do about a kid stealing? This child has previously taken things without permission around the house, which in the grand scheme of things hasn’t been a huge deal. He’s earned money to repay when needed, and his heart leans to confess and apologize when its been found out, [maybe cuz he got caught or felt bad].
However… tonight he told us that he stole a candy bar from the store a few weeks ago and has been feeling guilty since then. First - I’m so thankful he felt comfortable being honest with us. But now… what would you do in response?
A: Respond guidingly, lovingly and in truth.
It is a teaching moment. A good time to share the Gospel with him. Tell the seriousness of sin, the wages of sin, his guilty standing before God, his need for Jesus. After, this video can help you solidify it and call him to salvation, new heart and desires, being right with God and able to live holy [do what's right even when no one (but God) is watching].
Before the video, while explaining, go over the commandments he broke, so he sees his sin his crimes in truth. "Coveting, stealing, dishonors your parents, harms the person you took from so it shows no love towards the person nor God. It is a sin against God, and the wages of sin is death."
Beyond that, help him understand how he cannot undo the taking but he can take steps to right his wrong and let him know that his guilty conscience is there because we are not meant to take things that are not ours. And that doing so is a sin against God too. Hopefully this will stick with him, but some children do struggle with impulse control. If that is him, work out something for him to think about when he's tempted to take something that he doesn't have permission to take.
Something like, this is not mine to take and if I take it I will be punished by my own conscience with guilt and shame, and it hurts God. I can make the choice not to take this and feel good about my self control, and rejoice because Jesus is helping me.
Check out Proverbs 6:30-31. If it is habitual, I would probably have him work to pay back sevenfold. Consequences exist, even if forgiven. [Just like death still comes cuz of sin, tho Jesus paid our punishment fir what would have come after death].
After all, paying what it cost isn't really punishment, just the basic realities of life. The store probably won't take back any more than that, but he can donate it to a Christian charity so God can use it.
God bless
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