How do you respond when you see a need?

I read a story today, that showed up in my Facebook feed. What caught my eye was the story tag line: Over $2600 worth of baby formula stolen from Baytown Walmart.

Here is the link to the story:

Over $2600 worth of baby formula stolen

When I first saw the story, before I read it, I was mortified. My first thought was that these people had been caught stealing trying to feed their child. And if that was the case, I will find money to send so they can feed those babies.

But when you read the story, it is many people stealing, and stealing in over abundance.

Then I read the comments on the feed. Some people were like me. If people are stealing to feed their children, let us help them. Pray for them yes, but this is a case of more needing to be done.

I read the comments attached to article in my feed. Apparently there is a hot market in Ebay to sell baby formula. And more than a few people pointed out that if a person is in need of formula, WIC can help. Many people in the comments were down right cruel. And of course many started talking about immigration and Trump. That tangent went off onto trails that were not even related to the article.

After reading the article and the comments here is the lesson I have received:

• Walmart is a business, and by these people stealing, they are hurting the company. Now before you lambast me for being for big business, remember this. Walmart employees people, and those people are our neighbors. When profits fall, jobs can be cut. That effects us.
• If these people had been stealing to feed a hungry child and were in the position of being jobless, or some other tragic necessity, then punishment is not necessarily the right course of action, but the following would help with the situation:
• job training
• temporary assistance
• restitution
• local church/food pantry reaching out
• Stealing for profit. Wow, I guess I sometimes live in a bubble. But I know things are stolen every day, I have been the victim of robbery a few times in my life.
• And finally, people are mean. Some are compassionate, but many are mean. And they like to stir up trouble and fear.

I am saddened by that last observation. But I know it is reflective of the world we live in. Our world is broken, full of sin, and in desperate need of our Savior. This article is a perfect example of this. People stealing, not for need, but for a profit. And then people using the article as a platform to spread fear and trouble.

I did not add any remarks to the feed. But I did offer up a prayer. I am joyful in my heart that when I thought I saw a need I wanted to help. That is growth for me. I pray I continue, and maybe soon be able to follow through.

Proverbs 6:30-31

Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry; But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house.

 

Matthew 25:34-40

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,^[a] you were doing it to me!’