Turning the Other Cheek?

[Lone Wolfe]

I wanted to post this thread to get some other opinions for a problem I'm having about the Bible talking about turning the other cheek when someone does wrong to us? I can't imagine that meaning no matter what is done to us but, that's why this thread is here?

Without going into a lot of boring details, I had made a trade about three months ago with a couple who answered an ad I had on Craig's List for wanting to trade a spa/tub for a riding mower. Because of my physical limitations, I decided it was time to get a riding mower because I could no longer use my push mower. Anyway, the couple traded with me and the mower broke down within 30 minutes of operating it? I called the guy who agreed to come by to pick it up and have it looked at because he said he was a Christian and he didn't do things that way?

He brought it back, it broke down again and again, then he finally brought another mower by and that broke down within an hour of using it believe it or not? Same story, he'd come by & take care of it because he's a Christian and he doesn't do things that way. I had to chase him the last time because he would not return calls and after I threatened with small claims court, he finally returned my call and said he would make things right???

Well, he never has made this right and I've had this broken down riding mower in my garage for more than a month now and he refuses to return calls or emails so, I've been battling back & forth on whether or not I should file a civil case in small claims court to have him make this right? I have been told that it's not right for Christians to sue people and I'm not sure I agree with that? What do y'all think?

He got an $1,800 spa/tub that was only used 6 times and I got a broken mower (twice) and $400 cash because his wife practically cried wanting the tub so bad and since I wasn't using it, I decided to make the deal because I really needed a riding mower!

Thanks in advance!

 

[dayhiker]

Wolfe,
Sorry your deal went bad. You are in a tough place I agree.

Turn the other cheek - The context seems to be when dealing with Roman soldiers. Roman was as violent as occupying countries come. So it wasn't a very wise thing to strike back.
1 Cor. also has a verse about taking the loss when an other brother was involved. It would seem to be a closed case.
So there is the idea of turning things over to God and letting God deal with the one how has faulted us. But I think the God leaves that choice in our hands. There is never a command in the Bible to not collect debts that are owed us, or that a judgement can't be given to person who was deceptive.

But I don't think God requires us to continually forget or give away money we are owed.

It sounds to be like this guy does his own maintenance. So he knew how old the mower was and I suspect he had fixed something in a makeshift way and wanted to pawn it off on someone. He kept trying to fix it with more fixes that weren't permeate fixes.

I think you are free to do which ever road you want to go down. Do you have a lot of documentation? Be sure to write a log with dates and times, the conversations. To win at you will need as much documentation as you can get.

I pray you make the right decision that you will feel comfortable with and can thank God for.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Yes, I have kept all email & text communications with the man & his wife just in the event I would need it? It just really upsets me especially because of him boasting all the time about being this great Christian that they both are and then he does a disappearing act like this?

The real sad part is, the last three times I got stung in this town was by folks who claimed to be Christians and that really troubles me! It makes me feel like you can't even trust your own brothers/sisters in Christ in this town and if you can't do that... where do you go then???

I haven't prayed about it and perhaps that's something I should do. I know I've bounced it around in my head a great deal and I get that "no, don't sue them" and then I get that "they did you wrong while claiming to be Believers and that's not right either" so... it's all been just sitting in limbo and I don't know what to do about it?

I know it's only material things and that doesn't matter because I've never been a materialistic person but, it's the point of one Christian (so they claim) burning another Christian and that's where the problem comes in for me???

It's quite frustrating to be honest with you!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well Bo, you do need to pray about it, until you have peace in your heart about what to do. Do you know what church they go to? Maybe you can contact their pastor for help?
You have to remember that not everyone that says Lord Lord is really a child of God. The bible tells us this. And when someone is truly a Christian, they do not need to broadcast it all the time IMO.
I agree with dayhiker that the guy probably jerry rigged the mowers and "hoped" they wouldn't break down right away. It's too bad you can't get someone to take the mower back to him and pick up your spa.
People do take advantage and that is a sad fact of life, and it's even sadder when they disarm us with the whole "I'm a christian" thing.
As far as turning the other cheek goes we DO need to forgive. The bible says that if we cannot forgive our brother that God cannot forgive us. Doesn't mean you have to lie down like a dog and let the truck keep running you over. As far as the lawsuit, won't that cost you more money? I don't think that is the avenue I would take, but I'm not you.
I've been ripped off by "christians" before too. God knows. Don't worry about that, He knows and they will not get away with it forever, but for you, I would pray for them and keep trying to contact them. Maybe they will get sick of hearing from you and bring your spa back or get you a mower that works!

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Well Bo, you do need to pray about it, until you have peace in your heart about what to do. Do you know what church they go to? Maybe you can contact their pastor for help?
You have to remember that not everyone that says Lord Lord is really a child of God. The bible tells us this. And when someone is truly a Christian, they do not need to broadcast it all the time IMO.
I agree with dayhiker that the guy probably jerry rigged the mowers and "hoped" they wouldn't break down right away. It's too bad you can't get someone to take the mower back to him and pick up your spa.
People do take advantage and that is a sad fact of life, and it's even sadder when they disarm us with the whole "I'm a christian" thing.
As far as turning the other cheek goes we DO need to forgive. The bible says that if we cannot forgive our brother that God cannot forgive us. Doesn't mean you have to lie down like a dog and let the truck keep running you over. As far as the lawsuit, won't that cost you more money? I don't think that is the avenue I would take, but I'm not you.
I've been ripped off by "christians" before too. God knows. Don't worry about that, He knows and they will not get away with it forever, but for you, I would pray for them and keep trying to contact them. Maybe they will get sick of hearing from you and bring your spa back or get you a mower that works!

I've called them, texted them & emailed them to no avail? No, I don't know what church they belong to in order to speak to their pastor about it? They live in another town about 30 miles from here but, I do know the town fairly well and it's not that small so...? I've just never pursued it past taking issue with them and as far as the cost, it would set me back a whole $27 for the filing of the case... unless I take on legal counsel which is not required for small claims court??? It just rubs me against the grain when it's a Christian (or so they claimed) that burns another Christian and since he new I'm ordained, I just never imagined anyone doing wrong to a Reverend? My bad I guess???

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I've called them, texted them & emailed them to no avail? No, I don't know what church they belong to in order to speak to their pastor about it? They live in another town about 30 miles from here but, I do know the town fairly well and it's not that small so...? I've just never pursued it past taking issue with them and as far as the cost, it would set me back a whole $27 for the filing of the case... unless I take on legal counsel which is not required for small claims court??? It just rubs me against the grain when it's a Christian (or so they claimed) that burns another Christian and since he new I'm ordained, I just never imagined anyone doing wrong to a Reverend? My bad I guess???

well if its only 27 dollars then go for it!

 

[Lone Wolfe]

I've actually been feeling bad about it lately because it IS only material stuff and that doesn't matter in the scheme of things plus, his wife wanted it so badly she was almost in tears and to take that away from her would trouble me so... it's difficult to know what to do? I have been praying about and I know God will take care of those who do wrong against us so, I should probably leave it up to Him to handle? It's just the whole point of one Christian burning another Christian that has me all twisted up inside? Assuming I'm dealing with a true Christian here that's simply not thinking this thru??? He knows I got stuck with a pile of junk and the small amount of cash I agreed to take in trade, you would just think the man would feel terrible about the whole thing and attempt to make it right? Oh well, such is life!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I've actually been feeling bad about it lately because it IS only material stuff and that doesn't matter in the scheme of things plus, his wife wanted it so badly she was almost in tears and to take that away from her would trouble me so... it's difficult to know what to do? I have been praying about and I know God will take care of those who do wrong against us so, I should probably leave it up to Him to handle? It's just the whole point of one Christian burning another Christian that has me all twisted up inside? Assuming I'm dealing with a true Christian here that's simply not thinking this thru??? He knows I got stuck with a pile of junk and the small amount of cash I agreed to take in trade, you would just think the man would feel terrible about the whole thing and attempt to make it right? Oh well, such is life!

well if he really is a believer, his life will be miserable at some point. Maybe someone will do the same to him? IDK but if you CAN let it go, that would be best. God will reward us more for that, than the principle of being right so...and God knows everything. Maybe he is teaching YOU something from getting burned, or maybe the guy or the gal, IDK, but it's part of God's plan and he's probably just waiting for you to let Him handle it.

 

[mjmcmillan]

What's broken on it? Is it fixable? Is there a shop in your town that does work on riding lawnmowers? At this point, I would be inclined to get the thing fixed, and then if you're in the mood to pursue the issue present the bill to the guy who sold it to you. At the very least you should have a mower you can ride after this.

Document everything, if you have a camera take some pictures, get it fixed.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

What's broken on it? Is it fixable? Is there a shop in your town that does work on riding lawnmowers? At this point, I would be inclined to get the thing fixed, and then if you're in the mood to pursue the issue present the bill to the guy who sold it to you. At the very least you should have a mower you can ride after this.

Document everything, if you have a camera take some pictures, get it fixed.

Great idea!

 

[Lone Wolfe]

What's broken on it? Is it fixable? Is there a shop in your town that does work on riding lawnmowers? At this point, I would be inclined to get the thing fixed, and then if you're in the mood to pursue the issue present the bill to the guy who sold it to you. At the very least you should have a mower you can ride after this.

Document everything, if you have a camera take some pictures, get it fixed.

From what I've been told, the cost for the repairs would be more than the actual value of the entire machine and not worth the investment? Since I live on a fixed income, I must be extremely careful in how I spend those funds, especially since my savings were exhausted trying to please someone else who didn't appreciate it? That doesn't bother me as much as this and I'm talking a whole lot more money here! LOL.