Letting the Punishment Fit the Crime

Man who filed false police report wears ‘liar’ sign Associated Press Dec. 22, 2006 08:41 AM WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Craig Breuwet endured a painfully public punishment for lying to police – he marched up and down a busy road wearing a placard proclaiming “I AM A LIAR.” Breuwet, 33, submitted to the court-sanctioned penalty Wednesday instead of facing trial for filing a false police report. Breuwet said he has never been more embarrassed or humiliated. “I’ve learned my lesson,” he said.

When I read this news report, I realized how much of Christianity is like this, where sin is concerned. The punishment often fits the crime, because the repercussions of sin fit the sin. For example, my husband and I have always had a problem managing money. When we have it, we are careless and wasteful with it. We still tithe, and we still give over and above the tithe to the charities we’re committed to, but we let hundreds go to waste on eating out and luxury items beyond the limits that we ought to spend on those kinds of things. Consequently we’re being “taken to the woodshed” because we now have a serious financial problem and need to come up with a great deal of money. Had we managed what we had appropriately to begin with, this would not be stressful situation – a great deal of the money would have been ready when we needed it. God had given us what we needed. We just used it foolishly. Another reminder – another reminder, because we’ve been taught this lesson before – that of the abundance God gives us, we need not – and ought not – spend immediately. And I thank God for the fact that the punishment fits the crime. He is merciful and gracious in all things, but especially in his discipline of His children.

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