Grudges, Schemes, and Revenge

When Abraham Lincoln was an attorney, a very rich man came to see him. He wanted to file a lawsuit against a poor man who owed him $2.50 (about $33 in today’s money).

Lincoln tried to reason with him, but his mind was set on revenge and he passionately insisted on the lawsuit. Seeing he wasn’t backing down, Lincoln finally agreed to take the case, but only for a legal fee of $10. The rich man eagerly paid the fee and walked away satisfied with his actions.

On the day the lawsuit was filed, Lincoln searched for the poor man. When Lincoln found him, he informed the man about the lawsuit. Then Lincoln handed him half of the $10 fee he had collected. The poor man went that very day to confess judgment and paid the $2.50 (Norman Dog, Yarns & Stories of Abraham Lincoln, p. 185).

Revenge and grudges can cause us to make some ridiculous decisions. When someone wrongs us, it feels natural to seek revenge. This is the complete opposite of how God wants us to act. Consider Romans 12:17–21: “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Revenge shouldn’t even be in a Christian’s mind. Following God’s commands in this will do wonders in our relationships with others. It will prevent problems. It will smooth them over when they do happen. Most important of all, when people do wrong us, we can rest assured that God is going to handle the situation much more appropriately than we ever could. — Brett Petrillo, Denver, Colorado (adapted for space)