The Gospel lesson for Sunday, April 2, John 3:14-21, is about God giving His only
begotten Son for the world. In Michigan we have the case of a father caught trying to sell
his daughter for $60,000.00 through videotape.
The father was released because even though Michigan has laws against private
adoptions, and against adoptions for money, and against child abandonment, Michigan has no
laws on the books preventing a parent from selling a son or daughter.
So, if a parent promises to visit their child and they don't use the
"adoption" word, it is legal to sell a child in Michigan. At the moment,
theoretically, someone from Nevada could meet someone from Virginia at a Michigan truck
stop and sell his or her child, and no law is broken.
It is against the law to abandon a child and to sell someone else's child but is not
illegal to sell your own child in Michigan.
The police told me they are concerned about people coming into Michigan to conduct
legal child selling.
I expressed my concern to the Governor's office, (1-517-373-3400) and my State Senator,
Kenneth DeBeaussaert, D-Mt. Clemens (800-757-7315), and State Representative, Callahan,
(888-833-8493) the St. Clair Shores Police, and the City Attorney Robert Ihrie.
DeBeaussart is planning to introduce legislation on April 4, 2000.
There is quite a contrast here. God gives His Son as the sacrifice for sin to save the
human race while a human father sells his daughter for financial gain. Here we have
incalculable love compared with unimaginable depravity and self-interest. God even gave
His Son to save this depraved father. Only a regenerative Gospel could change this sinner
into a saint.
The father never said he hated the child. He just thought the child mightbe better off
with some other family and $60,000.00 in his pocket.
The true words, "He died for all" make us wonder if the Gospel isn't too
gracious, too much of a gift, and more love than we can tolerate. If this man doesn't
repent and come to faith he will soon discover that there is a higher law on the books
under which he will be eternally prosecuted and which he so richly deserves. Michigan may
have blundered on the law but God will not make any mistakes at the judgment on those
without faith in Christ.
The following article is an astounding revelation on this case from the Detroit News.
Note: Once you go to the article below,
you'll need to use your BACK button on your browser to return to this page.
Baby sale charges dismissed
Abandonment case lacked evidence, district judge rules
By Maureen
Feighan / The Detroit News
March 29, 1999