How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds. These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves. Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it. Proverbs 1:17-19

When I was a young teenager, I was a thief. I don't know how I came to love stealing, but I did. I stole not because I needed it, but because I needed to steal. The money I spent quickly and friviously. I stole from the piggy banks of the kids I babysat for. I stole from the old lady who befriended me quite regularly. I stole from my parents. I stole from my friends. I stole just to steal. Deep in my heart, I did not like what I was doing. I had consistant nightmares of being chased. I daydreamed that instead of spending the money I had taken, I simply put it into a metal box and buried it. And I kept on stealing. I stole some silver dollars from one of my best friends and nobody knew I had done it but myself. But I knew I had done it. I regretted it almost from the moment I had done it, but still did not turn back. My friend probably did not know why I began to "drift away", but I did. every time I looked at her, it was like I was looking into my own betrayal. This verse reminds me of that time. Because of the damage it not only did to the people who loved me, but also what it did to me. It was when I accepted the Lord that I really started getting caught. As difficult as it was, I am grateful that the Lord chose first to deal with this sin in my life. When we sin, we don't just affect others, we destroy ourselves in the process. It even has its' far reaching consequences; I have not stolen for years and years yet I still cringe inside when I remember what I have done. I still wish I could turn back the hands of time. Such is the end of those who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it. (Proverbs 1:19)