When restoring what I took, do I need to mention my name?
Question:
Hi!
First, thank you so much for the questions and answers you provide. I find the information super helpful. I’ve had a chance to review questions similar to mine, but I would like to ask a few specifics. The overall theme of my question concerns repentance and restitution.
For some background, I am a Christian. I am a self-employed/independent contractor. Over the past several years, with the organizations I have contracted with, I have overcharged for time or not reported hours worked accurately. After self-reflection, I think this issue stems from the love of money as an overarching theme. This has been weighing heavily on me lately, and I want to correct it. Obviously, that’s an issue to deal with, and something I am actively working on. After much reflection, I am seeking to repent of these sins. When it comes to restitution, I want to make things right.
I understand the concept of restitution in the story of Zacchaeus. And I also understand that he did not seek to go to every single person that he had harmed in the past. I also find it interesting that there is a stark contrast between restitution in the Old and New Testaments. On the contrary, in Ephesians, Paul would state “let the thief steal no longer…”, and there is no mention made of restitution.
Looping back to my situation, I do recall most of the organizations where I have overcharged for hours worked. However, I do not recall exact specifics, but I do have a general ballpark idea. My main question is, when seeking to make restitution, is it reasonable to do this anonymously with a letter and a cashier's check? Or is there a sense in which I have sinned against these people, and I should put my name to it and own up to it or confess? The reason I’m hesitant to do this is that they obviously have no idea, and I am not sure if this will cause more harm than good. Is there anything in the Bible that would require me to go to them or email them directly with my name attached?
The other option I have is to still contract with these organizations. It would be possible for me to work multiple shifts and not charge these organizations in an effort to pay back what was not rightfully mine. Would this be appropriate, as I feel this would be the most ideal situation? In some sense, I feel that I am not acknowledging my sin before them. But on the other hand, I am paying back or making restitution.
Thank you for what you do and your response!
Answer:
"He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need" (Ephesians 4:28).
Restitution is implied in this passage. The thief stops his sin (ceases his stealing), changes his behavior (works with his own hands), and restores what he stole (shares with those in need). Paying the companies back you stole from is one way to right the wrongs you've committed. I don't recommend working extra without charging the companies, because that's another form of lying. You don't fix one wrong with another. I would suggest volunteering or providing services to the poor.
There is nothing that requires you to tell people what you are doing. The point is that you have decided to follow Christ, and so you don't wish to profit from your past sins. You can never fully undo the past, but you can make the world a better place by having lived a Christian life.
"For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter" (II Corinthians 7:10-11).
Question:
Hi Jeffrey,
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I have a follow-up question regarding the below: I am curious about the element of confession of sin. Obviously, first and foremost, our sin is against God. However, there are times when we sin against other people (be they Christians or not). From what I have read in the Bible, our confession of sin is firstly toward God. I also understand there are times when something is not right between two Christians (Matthew 18), and that needs to be reconciled. Looping back to my original email- I sinned against God and these agencies (by essentially stealing). Is there an element of confession required on my behalf to these institutions, even if they are unaware of such? I do plan to make restitution; however, I am struggling with how, or even whether, I should confess my wrongdoing to them as well.
Thanks for your guidance!
Answer:
Your forgiveness from God is not tied to confessing your sins to the ones you have wronged. In some cases, it isn't possible because you don't know who you hurt or the person you hurt has died. Jesus did command that if we know someone holds a grudge against us that we need to seek to rectify the situation (Matthew 5:23-24). If you don't, the problem is likely to get out of hand. In Zacchaeus' case, he would not have known all he defrauded, so he offered to pay extra for those who would come to him. For the rest, he said he would give his ill-gotten gains to the poor.
In your case, if someone from the company asks you whether you overcharged, be honest and offer to repay the time in either volunteer time or money. Even without being asked, I suggest you ask whether you can volunteer hours on behalf of the company -- perhaps for a community project the company is involved in. If that isn't possible, then find something you can volunteer for to pay back the money you stole.
Self-incrimination is not required in man's law or in God's law. What God wants to see is a complete change. Be such a person that five years from now, people would be surprised to hear that you were once dishonest.
