My husband stole from a church.?

Question

ok here is the story my husband stole from a church and I cant seem to forgive him for it he says I should stand by him and forget he done it, but I can't do that. I ask him why he did it and he says he saw something he wanted so he took it. So my question is do I forgive him and for get about it or just let him go on like he is and act like nothing has happen.

Answer 1

If this man has no shame in stealing from a church...Because "he liked what he saw and took it" Then honey he will see someone else that he likes...and Cheat on you. He obviously has no morals...I wouldn't be ok with that for the reason that you don't know what else he is capable of

Answer 2

Wow. Is this the church that you two belong too? You just have to ask yourself how important it is to you and can you forgive him. If you can not forgive him, his stealing will pop up everywhere in your relationship. Stuff that doesn't have anything to do with what he stole will start to fall apart because you are festing this inside. It's VERY hard to forgive when you haven't forgotten, when it's so fresh. But if you can forgive him and move past this, even if it takes counceling then you should do that. Listen to only yourself. People might tell you to leave because who would steal from a church, you can't trust a person like that, then others may tell you he's your husband and you need to stick by him no matter what. It's really what you think. Plain and simple; can you deal with this? Will this one problem snowball into many? Will this eventually wreck my marriage. Be honest with yourself and go with your gut feeling.

Answer 3

Obviously, you can't just forgive and forget. If you could do that, you wouldn't be asking the question.

Personally, I consider stealing from place of worship of ANY KIND the act for the lowest of the low, especially it wasn't the need for food or some basic necessity that caused the stealing. I am not even a religious person.


I see it more troubling that his explanation for his action was "he saw something he wanted so he took it." There was no remorse, no regrets, or even an attempt to explain his behavior.

This means, if he see something else he likes, he will do it again. What extent would he go to get what he wants? Hurt someone in the process?

These actions break the trust in people. I think he has shown his true self by his actions and the actions that followed the stealing.

I would give him one more time to redeem himself though. Talk to him and see if he wants to change his mind and return the item. Then get him to promise to you he will NOT do it again.

What would you do? That's highly up to you. Do you want to convince him to return it either anonymously or in person? Can you trust him now? Will you be able to trust him in the future? Isn't an ability to trust each other what binds two in marriage?

Answer 4

Ask him to take back what he stole.
That's the only way to make up for this.

It doesn't matter if he stole from a church or from a store. Stealing is stealing.

I think this bothers you. Because otherwise you wouldn't be asking the question. It's important that people respect others' property. That includes a church's property and, very important, also your stuff!

You should not stand by a thief and pretend that it's all right that he steals. You'll compromise your own ethics that way. And it seems that you're a very ethical person. Because you know what he did was wrong. If you stand by him, it's almost like you stole yourself. Because that way you make it clear that you approve of what he did.

Answer 5

I used to think that if I tolerated the bad behavoir of the people I cared about I was being faithful. However I have learned that to not confront loved ones with hurtful, dangerous or sinful behavoir is being unfaithful to them and hinders their personal growth and if you are Christians then your relationship with God.

Has your husband paid the church back? Has he ever taken responsiblity for his bad choice? Does the church even know he did it? Whether is was a church or someone else does not matter. It is wrong to take what is not yours. No matter how much you want it.

I suggest you follow Matthew 18:15-18. "If your brother sins against you go and show him his fault just between the two of you." It sounds like you have done this.

"If he doesn't listen to you, take one or two witnesses along so that the testimony may be established by two or three witnesses." This should not be your best friends who will only see your side. This should be two people you both respect who cares for both of you.

"If he still doesn't listen, tell it to the church." I am not suggesting you stand up and make an announcement on Sunday. Go to the church leadership.

"If he won't listen to the church treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." Jesus treated pagans and tax collectors with dignity, respect and love but unless they repented they were not part of his closest friends. I do not believe that we have to lay our hearts out to be trampled on by careless people.

Answer 6

That's tuff! Stealing is stealing no matter what. If it was something small or large. Now if it was like David eating offerings to God, that would be different but it wasn't. I don't think he'll be forgiven by God but the bible says you must forgive to a certain point. You tell him that he must confess his sin, repent (which means to give back what he stole and never steal again), and set an example for his wife and kids to follow! If not, he is bringing you down with you. If he won't change his ways then I would say you have every right to stay mad at him, even think about divorce. He needs to set an example if he loves God and wants to be religious! - JK

Answer 7

I don't agree with the spanking punishment at all. There is a fine line between spanking and child abuse (and I'm not saying that your husband necessarily crossed it) - and it's best not to tread near that line. Having him give back the money was a good choice. By having him do it himself, you taught him that HE, not his father, is responsible for his mistakes. Doing "community service" at the church was also an appropriate form of punishment. The only other thing that I may have done is to have him use a portion of his allowance money to (say $2.00 every week for ten weeks) to put $20.00 into the collection plate. I'm sure that all of that combined would have him learn his lesson.

Answer 8

That's really bad to steal from God's building. What if the money was going to go to someone starving, missions, or someone being abused who might get killed to have a safe haven?
Did you take the money back or make him take the money back? Have you told anyone in the church?
Forgive but don't forget. God forgives but still chastises.
Stand by your man unless he wants you to sin too.
This may be considered being an accessory.

Answer 9

maybe you should forgive him. talk to him about it and try to convince him to return what he stole from the church back. but don't act like nothing happened. if you do, he's going to start thinking that he can get away with anything.
can i just ask, has he done it before? if he's done it before a lot, then maybe you should talk with your friends and family and ask them what they think. i mean, who knows what he's going to steal next. hope my advice was helpful to you.=)

Answer 10

Wow, your husband has more issues than I do...If you want to forgive him go ahead but at least replace what he stole. Talk to the pasture about it. Tell him how sorry you are and ask him to help you forgive him. If you can't forgive him, Who can?

Answer 11

your husband should return the money and ask for forgiveness. You should forgive him if he does that and even if he does not. We are not judges so he will have to confess his sins to God and never do it again. It is cold to steal from a church it is like taking money from the homeless.