The disputes Apostle Paul addresses are civil matters, not criminal. If it were criminal violations, the Roman state would be involved. (Romans 13:3-4) Also, Paul’s declaration, “Why not rather be cheated?” (7), also indicates that the disputes were civil matters involving money and property. The Romans allowed Jews (Christians were still considered a Jewish sect) to settle their own property disputes according to Jewish law.
Now, in my sixty-plus years, I do not remember any Christians being close enough to have a dispute over money and property, except for one area, inheritance. A human constant seems to be the sudden sibling relationship change upon their parent’s passing and the inheritance split. I first encountered this with my grandparents’ death, on both sides. I found it rather shocking to see siblings that I thought had a good relationship suddenly change into strong, bitter disputes.
When I asked those older than I about this, they said, “Yes. Sibling cheating and wronging happen most of the time regarding inheritance. Buried past wrongs come to life. Greed comes from the cave of selfishness.” Now that I am older, I can testify that this is true. The more possessions and wealth involve the longer the sibling has been planning and conceiving.
Make the decision now if you have siblings, “Why not be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Do not make an enemy of blood now, only to bleed grief into your old age. My grandmother chose to marry one of the poorest men in the town over family wealth because she considered love and happiness worth more than the wealth of her family. As years pass, that sibling will be more of a comfort than money and wealth.
