Looting Costs $45 Billion in Losses

It’s Crazy Money Day!

A shop-lifting epidemic is plaguing some of our major cities. Much of it is committed by organized gangs of looters. A trade association estimates retail theft at $45 billion in annual losses. Divide that by 365 and it averages to more than $100 million stolen daily. The disruptions caused by the pandemic and the ability to resell stolen items online has fueled crime. The primary areas include LA, San Francisco/Oakland, Chicago, New York and Miami. LA is also seeing a major rise in “follow-home-robberies” in which the most vulnerable are targeted. The heart is deceitful above all things. Looters think they can steal from fellow humans and not suffer the consequences. Our staff reads aloud one chapter from the Bible every Monday when we gather for staff devotions. We recently finished Proverbs. Listen to the contrast of evil and righteous living in some verses that apply to this situation:  

• “Ill-gotten gains do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” 

• “The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.”

• “Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gather little by little increase it.” 

• “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is crooked though he be rich.”

When we live to glorify God, we have a clear conscience and promised riches that looters cannot claim.

Now if you’re tempted by dishonesty due to credit card debt, I recommend Christian Credit Counselors. They’ll create a debt management plan just for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline: 800-722-1976 or visit online at crown.org/ccc.