SENTINEL WATCH March 16, 2009 Issue

DESPERATE MEASURES CALL FOR DEEPER PRAYERS

SANDY SCOTT

IN A RECENT SURVEY of retailers, released by the Retail Industry Leaders' Association (RILA), 84 percent reported an increase in theft and amateur shoplifting. "The current uptick in unlawful activity is an unfortunate, yet unsurprising, consequence of an economy in distress," wrote Paul Jones of RILA. Even my own small-town paper in Kentucky reported that the number of thefts in one month had more than doubled as a result of local layoffs. (The stolen items included basic needs, such as food and clothing.)

This trend is not limited to the US. The London Times Online ran three articles in January alone linking the rise of robberies at knife-point, domestic burglaries, and fraud to the financial crisis.

Without hope or predictions of an improved economy, many feel their backs are against the wall. And during such times, even those who regularly look to God for help may despair. When personal pride prevents people from going to local service organizations for help, stealing may feel like a natural alternative—as if there is no other choice. The threat of jail time may stem the increase of theft somewhat, but it won't solve the issue for people wondering how to pay the bills, heat their homes, or consistently feed their families.