Bible Discussion Thread

So , I found something in the street . It was a bit weird , a pair of brand new sneakers , unboxed just standing there . No one was any where near them . I looked up and down the street , I waited about fifteen minutes in case some one came and got them . No one did so I picked them up and took them home . After I looked them up on the internet I discovered they are very expensive . I guess thats when I started to feel bad . I realised that some one paid out a lot of money for them and that some one wasn't me . I've decided to put them back where I found them , I shall not be in that area until Tuesday so that's when I will do it . Feeling better about it already and I hope the original owner comes back and gets them . I hope God will forgive me for being so greedy .

Blessings Jema,

I highly doubt the owner will be returning a few days later to expect to find their shoes. I agree with GiGi, that they were probably stolen. Besides, if you didn't grab them, someone else would have, which would be ok if you had chosen to leave them.

If it's a situation where it were possible to identify the owner, then of course you would want to make every effort to do so. If you found money instead, would you just leave it there? I wouldn't, unless of course identification accompanied the money; in which case you should absolutely feel obligated to notify such owner.

If it alleviates any guilt, give them away to someone you may know who might need them, or donate to a thrift store, perhaps a church sponsored one or a non profit one that donates its proceeds to battered women, or other good causes. Or, if you like them and the shoes fit, wear them. I don't see why you feel you need forgiveness for this, but if you do, then forgive your self and move on. God is not going to punish you.

If you feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to put them back where you found them, then I suggest you do so, as GiGi recommended.

Peace

I get what you are saying and feel the same way as you do about this sort of thing most of the time . However , I was brought up very strict as a child and was taught in no uncertain terms that if something didn't belong to me I wasn't to touch it without the owners permission and , when I looked on line they really are very expensive and a famous brand , they have a big blue tick on them , that's a clue for you :) .

Dear Jema, God forgives all sin. Just confess, put the sneakers back--a witness letter, I agree--and never do that again.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God bless.

Yes Cindyt , I'm going to do what you said , I know I will feel so much better , give God the glory always .

Praise the Lord.

Sounds like a good plan Jema, maybe a note in them to witness would be good, if the Spirit leads you to do so.

My guess is that these were stolen goods that most likely fell out of an armful of other stolen goods or perhaps fell out of the back of a car trunk.

Someone who had paid for these would have gone back to get them. But maybe they did and then they were gone.

Hard to know what really happened to have be eft in the street. But you are doing the right thing.

Glad you are obeying the lead of the Holy Spirit on this.

Yes , thank you , as soon as I decided to take them back I felt so much lighter , even coming on here and talking to other Christians about it made me feel a lot better . They say confession is good for the soul and I think I agree ! :)