Finders Keepers

Dear Victorious,

My husband has a habit of keeping things that he finds. Sometimes they are things of value. He never turns them in or notifies anyone that he's found them. When I've questioned him on this, he just says the old (childish) rhyme, "Finders keepers, losers weepers." There haven't been any negative consequences, but somehow this still just feels wrong. What do you think?

Donna E. - Navarre, OH

Dear Donna,

It feels wrong because it is wrong. And there may not have been any negative consequences - but that's only as far as you know. The individuals who lost the items that your husband has found and kept may have suffered consequences that you're simply not aware of.

The Bible says that if you find something that belongs to someone else, you must return it to them. The Bible further says that if you find something and don't know who it belongs to, you must hold it until that person comes looking for it. (Deuteronomy 22:1-3)

Most counties, cities, schools, homeowners associations, clubs, places of business, etc. have a "lost-and-found" policy and process. It usually includes you turning in whatever it is that you've found and their holding it for a specified period of time. If it is not claimed within that time, they will typically give it to you. This is the only way I could ever see it fitting for a Christian to keep something that they've found.