Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty: Give to Thieves and They’ll Stop Stealing
Russ Chastain 08.10.20
(Image: Screenshot from video)
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
It is with those words from Phil Robertson, Duck Commander founder and former star of the TV show Duck Dynasty, that this video begins. Unsurprisingly, they are from the Bible (Proverbs 11:25).
Phil is known as a man who strives to live the Christian ideal, and the theme of this video reflects the grace that’s central to the message of Jesus. Phil talks about netting or trapping fish in days gone by, when that was a large part of his livelihood. He tied lines off to trees along the banks, and others could see those lines, and sometimes he would come across some folks taking fish out of his nets.
He would challenge them at gunpoint.
And then, he’d give them the fish.
Furthermore, he told them where he lived and said anytime they need fish, stop on by and he would make sure they had enough fish for their needs, so they wouldn’t have to steal.
That show of grace (along with a show of blued steel) was usually enough to end the theft.
As Paul taught in Romans chapter 12, and which Phil mentions in the video: Don’t repay evil for evil. Overcome evil with good.
The actual passage includes this:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.”
As Phil might say: “Yep.”
