by David Scott Robertson
"Then Samuel addressed the people again: 'I have done as you asked and given you a king…Now tell me as I stand before the Lord and before his anointed one - whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong'" (1 Samuel 12:1,3-4).
* * *
The prophet Samuel is an impressive example of a man of integrity. No wonder God used him so mightily. Samuel was a man of sterling character and it shines very bright in the statement above which he has just made at King Saul's inauguration. Samuel demonstrates before all Israel the importance of a powerful principle called "restitution."
Simply put, restitution means making right whatever you have done wrong. It means (gulp) admitting you were wrong and taking action to correct it. It means doing everything possible within your power to convert a negative into a positive. The phrase "I'll make it up to you" is a good example of the principle of restitution in operation.
Here's how it might have worked in Samuel's case. If someone were to have stepped forward at his pointed questions and reminded him of a time when he (perhaps unintentionally) borrowed an ox or donkey and failed to return it - I believe Samuel would have left the platform immediately and made the matter right.
If Samuel had cheated someone, he would have paid back the offended party with interest. If at that moment it came to light that he had unfairly oppressed someone, he would have offered a public apology to them on the spot. If he were to have taken a bribe he would have confessed that as sin and worked diligently to undo the injustice he had been responsible for through his lapse in character. Knowing Samuel and God's call on his life, I believe he would have relentlessly worked to make whatever wrong he had caused right in the lives of those whom he was called to serve.
It's difficult, if not impossible, to live a lifetime and never offend, hurt, or inconvenience another person in some way. To think otherwise is an unrealistic expectation. But once the violation has been discovered where you have infringed on someone else's property, rights, or feelings, simply activate the principle of restitution. That is to say, immediately (or as soon as reasonably possible) begin the process of making it right! As much as possible, and as far as it has to do with you, make it right! And do it with a good attitude!
Here are some contemporary examples of restitution at work:
- A father is out of town on a business trip and misses his son's 12th birthday party. He returns with a present and takes an extra day off work to take his son to Six Flags theme park.
- A man's pickup truck slides off a rain-slicked curve and plows down a mailbox. He not only replaces the mailbox with a brand new (and better one picked out by the homeowner) but he plants a patch of beautiful flowers around it.
- A teenager borrows his parent's car and wrecks it. The insurance company pays for the repair but the kid pays the deductible and pays to have the car detailed when it comes out of the body shop.
- A girl borrows a neighbor's car and returns it filled with gas.
- A high school student slanders a classmate but later apologizes in front of her friends and invites her to sit with her at lunch.
- A next door neighbor borrows the lawn mower and hits a tree root and bends the blade but he pays for the repair and has the oil and spark plug changed to boot.
- In a fit of anger, a hole is punched in the wall - it is fixed and new wallpaper is put up in its place.
Restitution. When it works well it almost seems like the offended party comes out ahead! They actually are better off in the long run than before the incident happened! They get something new or better or nicer. The principle of restitution is so potent that even enemies can be transformed into friends through its power.
In discussing this principle, we must admit that sometimes full restitution is difficult or even impossible. In the case where you have been directly or indirectly responsible for someone's losing their life or being permanently disabled as a result of your mistake, then restitution is not easy. Committing adultery with another person's spouse is another example where restitution is very complex:
"But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away; for jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is" (Proverbs 6:32-35).
In these cases, I recommend doing the best you can under the circumstances and under the guidance of the Lord and godly counselors. Doing nothing is not good; doing what you can is good. You CAN express remorse. You CAN share grief. You CAN demonstrate repentance and ask for forgiveness. If you genuinely repent, God will forgive you even if men will not. But bitter, unforgiving hearts are a job for the Holy Spirit to deal with, not you.
My encouragement to you in this thought is to make the principle of restitution one of the core values of your life. When (not if) you discover you have hurt another person in any way, either intentionally or unintentionally, begin right away to make it right. Don't let the sun go down until you begin making preparation and plans to deal with the matter as best you can. Don't let sleep come to your eyes until you come up with a tentative plan and a workable solution to redeem the situation where it benefits the person you hurt as much as humanly possible.
Remember: In attempting to make restitution, (where applicable) you should ask the offended party: "What can I do to make it up to you?" Then try to meet their demand, and add a little bit extra, just for the trouble.
Offenses will come; they are absolutely inevitable. But as far as it has to do with you, be a man or woman of principle by applying as often as necessary the principle of restitution. People will notice this unusual quality about you and some will begin to imitate you and the gift of restitution will spread. And God will be pleased.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
-- The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Christians in Rome (Romans 12:17-18)
DSR
5/17/04