17 Aug, 2006
Caught Stealing
MAN MUST REPAY SOCIAL SECURITY FOR CHECKS STOLEN BY KEEPING BODY CHILLING
MADISON, Wis. - A man convicted of keeping his dead mother in a freezer for years so he could keep collecting her Social Security checks avoided federal prison.
A judge ordered Philip Schuth, 53, to serve four months simultaneously with the state prison sentence he is already serving and to repay about $35,000 he stole from the federal government.
Schuth pleaded guilty in April to a federal count of misusing a Social Security number.
He is serving a seven-year sentence as the result of a standoff with police last year at his home on French Island, just outside La Crosse. It was during the standoff that officers found the frozen body.
Schuth told investigators she died of natural causes in 2000, but he hid the body because he didn't want to be blamed for her death and wanted to keep collecting her Social Security.
Schuth's attorney, Mike Lieberman, said most of the money has been repaid after police found about $10,000 in his client's house and $24,000 in his bank account.
photo courtesty images.google.com & story courtesy news.google.com, 7/30/06
Leviticus 6:1-5
6:1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor 3 or has found something lost and lied about it, swearing falsely—in any of all the things that people do and sin thereby— 4 if he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found 5 or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story teach us about stealing?
This Old Testament passage was given to Moses and Israel thousands of years ago, but the truth still applies for us today. It points out that stealing involves more than just taking something from someone. Another form of stealing is finding something and not returning it or not returning something we have borrowed from someone. This is not only a sin against others, but a sin against God. If we have stolen anything, we must confess this sin to God, and ask the rightful owner for forgiveness, and return the stolen items with interest.
When I read the story about the guy keeping his mom's body in the freezer so he could keep collecting her social security checks, I had to read it again, because it is so unbelievable. This guy is not only a thief, but he's either mentally ill or one of the most "cold-hearted" people on this earth. How did he think he could get away with it?
But what do we try to get away with? We may not be stealing social security checks from the government and leaving our loved ones out in the cold, but do we have a casual attitude about somehow "ending up" with something that belongs to someone else? You know - they really won't care, or they didn't need it anymore, or they already have more than they need, or by now they've forgotten about it and it would be really look bad if...
STOP THIEF! We can't rationalize anymore...make it right with God and the person we stole from...plus a little extra! It's what the Bible says to do! God wants us to put a "freeze" on stealing. (Sorry, that was bad!)
- Thank God that His Word is so clear and practical! Confess any sin of stealing to Him right now. Thank Him for His forgiveness and ask His Spirit to give you the courage to confess and make things right with those you have stolen from and if necessary - with the law. Ask Jesus to help you live every day with integrity.
- Ask God to help you remember, as you make a written list of anything you have stolen or borrowed and not returned (books, DVDs, clothes, tools, money....). Return what you have taken (with interest). It may cost you some time, money and embarrassment, but it will be worth it! You will be amazed at the freedom you will find!
- If you need to return something you have stolen or kept from someone, be ready for them to question why you are being honest and making it right. This will be a great opportunity for you to talk about how Jesus has changed your life story.
- If you have a friend who confides in you about stealing something and they regret it, offer to help them apply today's DAILYBIDE. If they don't regret it, pray for them and look for the opportunity to offer your help.
- July 2008 [17]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [17]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [19]
- August 2007 [18]
- July 2007 [13]
- June 2007 [11]
- May 2007 [14]
- April 2007 [11]
- March 2007 [12]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [5]
- November 2006 [14]
- October 2006 [18]
- September 2006 [12]
- August 2006 [17]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [4]
