The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1300, titled "Bible Questions and Answers."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.

Question

Does the Bible teach that restitution is necessary? For example, does money need to be repaid that has been taken dishonestly? I know Zacchaeus told Jesus he would repay four times (and that’s Luke 19, you'll recall), but Zacchaeus was not commanded to do so. Does Jesus expect this of us or is asking forgiveness of God enough in God’s sight?

Answer

Well, that’s a very important question. Let me hasten to say this: forgiveness does not eliminate the need to do right. Forgiveness for the believer is in the cross, right? And it isn’t a question of asking forgiveness for some sin--that’s been taken care of. The reason that Zacchaeus repaid what he had taken dishonestly was because he was being obedient to the law of God. The law of God does require restitution. Let me call your attention to several passages.

Exodus 22:1. It says this: “If a man shall steal an ox or a sheep or kill it or sell it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.” So Zacchaeus, you see, was pretty much operating on Exodus 22:1 principles, that restoration was required. Forgiveness did not remove the need for restitution.

In Leviticus 5:15, “If a soul commit a trespass and sin through ignorance in the holy things of the Lord, then he shall bring for his trespass under the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flocks with thy valuation by shekels of silver after the shekel of the sanctuary for a trespass offering, and he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing and add the fifth part thereto.” He had to pay for what he had abused and 20% in addition. Now this is carried on in Leviticus 6:4, where you have a similar indication there; in Leviticus 24:21; also in Numbers 5:5-6.

So, restitution was something that was required under God’s law. I think it is still a valid thing, that if you have taken things dishonestly, you are to return those things, forgiveness notwithstanding--that has little to do with the obligation that you have to make right the thing which you have wronged.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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