Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged.’ Numbers 5:6-7

On a daily basis people do wrong to other people. Most often the person who did the wrong never confesses to the wrong, nor makes restitution for the wrong done, unless taken to court. They try to sweep it under the rug and forget about it.

God told the Israelites that whoever does wrong to anyone must first confess the sin that they did, then make restitution with a fifth of the value added to it.

Believers are often quick to admit to God when they have done something wrong to another person. However, they very seldom admit the wrong to the person they did it to and even less likely to make restitution for the wrong done.

Usually all that is done, at most, is that the person will say he is sorry. Many will not try to repair or restore the damage done.

Making restitution shows that one is truly sorry and is trying to repair the wrong. It is an outward sign of an inward heart feeling. Doing this will give the victim a reason to forgive and strive to repair the relationship.

Before a person believes in Jesus, he is a sinner and does things against God. At the moment of repentance, God forgives him and asks for his whole heart and life, not just a fifth of the value added.

Giving restitution with a fifth of value added is a small price to pay to repair a broken relationship. It is a sign of true repentance and God’s amazing love.

There have been times or will be times when you will do something wrong to someone else. At the moment you realize that you did something wrong, first confess the wrong done. Repent before both God and man.

Then seek a way to make restitution. Do whatever it may take to restore what was damaged in the wrong done. This will be a great testimony of what God is doing in your life.

Trust God for your provision as you bless the one you wronged.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will confess before God and man wrongs you have done to others; that God will guide you in making restitution to those you have wronged; and that God will reveal His love through your restitution.