Dowry is one of those social evils that is now being widely accepted if not encouraged in the Indian church. First, I would like to emphasize that this ain't a men vs women issue. There are men who oppose it and women who support it. In this post I would like to look at dowry from a biblical perspective.
I Corinthians 6:9-10 (emphasis added)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Its too obvious to escape one's notice, that dowry is all three - thievery, covetousness and extortion. Forcing the bride's family to pay-up is nothing short of robbery - whether taken in as dowry or as marriage expenses. Dowry in itself is covetousness - an ungodly lust for someone else' wealth. This is one of those sins that has been severely condemned in the Bible. Finally, as inferred from real-life cases dowry is usually an extortion that continues to extend even after marriage.
Apart from its social implications, this passage from the first epistle to the Corinthians makes it explicit that dowry has eternal consequences too. For those who had already fallen into this trap, there is only one solution - pay it back! Well that's what Zacchaeus did. And that's what's called as genuine repentance.
Its only highly unfortunate that several pastors actually encourage this practice and some even demand tithe out of it!!! O Church of India awaken!!!
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