The Daily Mail in London writes this week of a priest who has advised the poor to shoplift – and justifies it biblically(!). Tim Jones (shown at left), says,
My advice does not contradict the Bible’s eighth commandment because God’s love for the poor and despised outweighs the property rights of the rich.
We see that once again, worldviews make a difference. The worldview inherent in Mr. Jones’ statement is that all who are business owners are by definition “rich,” and therefore have untold excess of which they are depriving the oppressed poor. Perhaps we can assume Mr. Jones has read Robin Hood” at some point in his life. Or, maybe even some Karl Marx. His disclaimer that one should commit one’s theft against “large national businesses” does little to alleviate the moral issue he is addressing.
That worldview is at its base problematic, but when one then puts a Christian spin on it, it presents a true biblical problem. Mr. Jones also said,
My advice, as a Christian priest, is to shoplift. I do not offer such advice because I think that stealing is a good thing, or because I think it is harmless, for it is neither.
‘I would ask that they do not steal from small family businesses, but from large national businesses, knowing that the costs are ultimately passed on to the rest of us in the form of higher prices.
‘I would ask them not to take any more than they need, for any longer than they need.
‘I offer the advice with a heavy heart and wish society would recognise that bureaucratic ineptitude and systematic delay has created an invitation and incentive to crime for people struggling to cope.’
One could assume, could one not, that poverty was an issue in the times of Christ as much as it is today. Oppression by those in authority was most likely even more of an issue than it is in Mr. Jones’ Commonwealth. Those issues did not result in Jesus telling His followers to steal from Rome because Rome was bureaucratically inept, did they? Perhaps Mr. Jones’ reading of “You shall not steal” (ESV) includes the addendum of license to steal when we feel it is personally, economically or societally necessary. Perhaps Jesus’ words that said, “…whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven….” (Matthew 5) were just rhetorical?
Here we go again – the “people of God” – specifically, a “man of God,” deciding what parts of the Bible are to be obeyed and which aren’t based upon one’s personal situation. Jesus’ words in Luke 6:46 should give us pause:
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
This event is so unfortunate, although I wouldn’t be surprised if his advice connected well with the growing (liberal) demographic of people who consider corporations the root of all evil.
My opinion is that you might as well suggest a revolution of the underprivileged against its government as better advice than shoplifting while remaining under the system’s oppression. I mean, at least then you would be consistent and following a conviction to its end.
It’s sad that a priest suddenly feels he has the right understanding of justice, even though the NT addresses the issue of differing social classes and nowhere suggests what Mr. Jones is offering as advice.
I hadn’t heard of this until I read your blog, but wow…what a mess! This is the craziest thing I’ve heard in a long time! There is just no Biblical truth to this belief! I’m not even mad…just sadly disappointed.