The Criminal's Belief System
CHAPTER 16

“Man ... This Is a Drag.”

Criminals are not interested in doing responsible tasks that don’t offer immediate excitement.  They find going to work, going to school, going to church a drag.  The entire concept of being responsible is mind-numbing to them.  If they do become interested in a worthwhile project, their interest is short-lived - unless there is a chance they’ll gain recognition from others by completing it.  Most of the time, you’ll hear them say things like … "It’s dullsville around here.  Color me gone!”  Or … “Man! This job is a drag. I'd rather lay back and just sell some dope.” Or … "These classes are too much work and totally boring. I’m dropping out.”  Because they can’t focus on and stay connected with a task for any length of time and thus can’t hold down a job, they may turn to crime to meet their financial needs.

Over the past number of years, I honestly cannot count the number of times that I have seen someone begging for money. There he is, standing with a sign on the side of a busy intersection in big cities as well as small towns. And people saying they only need some change have approached me in shopping mall parking lots.  I don’t know if it is just me or if you feel this way, but I am leery of tossing money in the hands of strangers. I always wonder if they can stand on the corner and beg, why can’t they spend the same number of hours on a job.  Everywhere I go, there are “Help Wanted” signs.

Now we all have friends who are disabled, and would trade their disabilities in a heartbeat for the opportunity to go to work and make a living for their families. That’s not who this is about. And there are some who are legitimately down and out, who have “fallen on hard times,” who have lost their jobs through downsizing or some other unexpected disaster. It’s up to us in the body of Christ to help people through such tough times.

This lesson is about people who find going to work a drag, and so turn instead to crime or begging. Not being willing to accept responsibility and work for a living has as much to do with our spiritual condition as it does our secular mindset. As we read the scriptures for this lesson, we will see God is quite adamant that each of us has a responsibility to do our best to hold down a job, and provide for our family and ourselves to the best of our ability. 

 
 
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Continue to Chapter 17

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