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Ephesians 4:28: No Longer Steal




Ephesians 4:28
[28] Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

It seems that we should not have to be reminded that stealing is not an option for the believer. But, the Apostle Paul needs to address it in Ephesus, and there is something for us here as well. Theft is fraud. We are treating our brother or sister fraudulently if we are taking something from them that does not belong to us.

Christians are not usually the ones caught breaking and entering to steal drugs. But, maybe we own a business and we are over-charging our customers. Or maybe we do not pay our debts. The way that we fraud others is usually more subtle than the actions of a common thief. Additionally, Paul makes an interesting statement here. In contrast to stealing, he says that we should “do honest work with our own hands, so that we may have something to share with anyone in need.”

We think of having a career so that we can get what we want for ourselves. And we may even have a more admirable goal of providing for our family. But, Paul says that we should do honest work so that we have something to share with anyone in need.

Galatians 6:10
[10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The church is to be the place where we find help in meeting our needs, and not just spiritual needs. If we are doing honest work with our hands we are going to be able to use the money that we make to help others. That’s God’s plan.

Do not steal.  Rather, work hard so that you can give!  When we steal we rob others and we even rob ourselves of peace.  When we give we are blessed.  Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  What will you give?

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