After the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Steve Futterman of CBC radio broadcast an interview he had with one of the riot’s many looters. The man had been one of many people who had looted a record store. When asked what he had stolen, the man replied, “Gospel tapes. I love Jesus.”
What’s wrong with that picture? Can it be that loving Jesus has no connection with character? Is Christian music simply a part of our culture, but not a part of our heart? A person can wear a cross around his/her neck as a symbol, but not have any relationship with Jesus Who died there for us. It would do us all good to reflect on the above story and ask ourselves just how genuine our love for Jesus really is.
Tags: character, love, stealing
During his years as mayor of New York City, Fiorello La Guardia sometimes presided as judge in a night court. In one case, a man was found guilty of stealing a loaf of bread. He pleaded that he had committed that theft to feed his starving family.
“The law is the law,” La Guardia declared. “I must therefore fine you $10.” When the man sadly confessed that he had no money, the judge took $10 out of his wallet and paid the fine. He also asked each person in the courtroom to contribute 50 cents to help the man.
Have you ever seen such generosity in your world?
Tags: grace, judgment, Law, stealing