We enjoy the old classic cartoon version of Robin Hood, but stealing from the rich to give to the poor? It’s never right to do wrong to do right! I’m having a little fun illustrating a point, not actually trying to hate on a classic, but I do wonder what God might do with someone who has good intentions like that if they also allow Him to lead them. After all, God has all the resources we could ever need to impact and change the world around us.
1 Samuel 13:8-9 records the sad account of King Saul getting this all wrong: “And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.” Offerings we’re good things…when offered the right way: by a priest. Saul tried to do a good thing in a bad way and found out it wasn’t worth it as the family line of Israel’s kings was shifted to David instead of Saul.
A man named Machiavelli basically started the idea that the ends justify the means; in other words, do whatever you have to do to get by and get a good outcome. But God said “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7).
If Robin Hood, Machiavelli, or anyone else says it, we’d better take a closer look to see if it’s actually true and helpful or not. But if God says it, we’ll always help ourselves if we listen and follow what He says.