Friday

Do We Deserve What We Can't Afford?

According to Shine 1 in 11 people will shoplift in 2011, costing retailers almost $120 billion.

Unlike Jean Valjean in Les Misérables who stole a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving family, 75% of American shoplifters are adults who have jobs! And the majority steal luxury items.

The Top Eight shoplifted items:
  1. Filet Mignon
  2. expensive liquor
  3. electric tools
  4. iPhones
  5. children's toys
  6. expensive brands of clothing
  7. expensive perfumes
  8. nice sneakers
We live in a culture of discontent, and it's easy to take on an attitude of entitlement. Even though Christians are not likely to shoplift, we aren't immune from overspending and discontent.

That's why it's good to examine our hearts from time to times and ask God to make us grateful and contented. And it's a good reason to memorize Philippians 4:12,13. (click to read it)
copyright Gail Burton Purath, 2011  

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8 comments:

  1. I heard this list on air1 this morning! I was astounded at the dollar figure companies are allotting to theft and loss. I had a mental "what if" image involving that same dollar figure being pour into a homeless shelter, domestic abuse shelter, or addiction treatment canter.

    What would that figure do in providing relief to other missions programs... Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Gail you are so right, we need to be content with what we have.

    Interesting about shoplifters. I knew someone who was once in security at a shopping mall in Dallas (very ritzy part of town.) There was a woman who was a kleptomaniac and her husband had agreements with the shop owners to bill him for whatever she took. Sad - she could have afforded most anything. I don't think her husband was helping her by doing what he did, but I guess he just wanted to keep her out of jail.

    Thanks for stopping by Reflections of His Grace today.

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  3. 1 in 11 -- wow! I agree: we need to be content with what we have.

    Thank you for stopping by today!

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  4. Hi Gail - wow, what interesting facts! My mother-in-law reckons her 'gift' is the gift of contentment. I think if we were content we'd have a lot more peace in our lives. So glad I found you over at 5 minute friday, have followed and looking forward to your next post.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  5. What a great post. Today I'm pondering this. Contentment. Convicting.

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  6. Very interesting information. This cut me to the core. This is what happens when a culture puts too much emphasis on things. Unfortunately we begin to measure our worth by stuff.

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  7. Interesting. AND I LOVE the mantle: simple, international! Love it

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  8. Hello,

    I found your blog on Raising Homemakers; I posted a link, too.

    One of my favorite verses is:Hebrews 13:5

    Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

    ~Hope

    ReplyDelete

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All Scripture references NIV unless otherwise noted.