Ephesians 4:29 Share Our Wealth
“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” (ESV).
This is part three of a five-part series about the Christian lifestyle—our morality, our moods, our money, our mouths, and our manners. This series was inspired by Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, Belief That Behaves.
Good words for today—“Let the thief no longer steal.” I have a friend who is the check-out clerk in a local drug store. One day in a conversation we had about the business, he told me that people come in the front door daily, pick up several candy bars and leave without paying. He also told me that many of these people do the same thing several times a week. He has been told by the management to do nothing, to say nothing, just let them leave. With the work load that the police department has, they are not going to respond to a call involved stolen candy bars. In fact, in our neighboring state of California, they will neither arrest nor prosecute anyone stealing anything or anythings with a value less than $950. Sounds like a license to steal, but do we want our police departments spending their valuable time on “petty thefts?” It’s a problem solvable only by a change in the morals of the nation. Some time ago, one of the local WalMart stores was set up for a smash and grab robbery by thieves who started a fire in the paper goods department. While everyone was busy rushing around getting customers out and containing the fire, the gang of thieves grabbed what they wanted and walked out with everybody else. Needless to say, thievery is a common occurrence in our nation, and we don’t know how to stop it. Some stores have started locking up small items that fit in a pocket or purse. I believe that all stores have a line item in their budgets entitled, “Losses by theft.”
“In this one verse, Paul tells the Christians in Ephesus to stop stealing. Then he tells them to get an honest job and earn money. What does he tell them to do with the money they earn? Share it with anyone in need. One New Testament commentator said this “This verse may be the most striking description of conversion in the New Testament: ‘The thief is to become a philanthropist.’” Dr. Jeremiah says, “Do not take what is not yours but work hard so that you may be able to give to others what is not theirs.” Wow, Paul is asking people who used to steal to get a job and give to others, a complete turnaround. That’s what Jesus did. By dying on the cross, He obtained forgiveness from sin, and He didn’t need forgiveness for Himself, because He didn’t sin. He earned sin forgiveness, and He gave it away to anyone who would accept it. I believe Paul was telling the Ephesians, and us, to do as Jesus did, give to those who are in need.
We are told by Hebrews 13:16, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” I want God to be pleased with me, and I am sure you desire the same. “Quit stealing” may not apply to all of us, but being generous with those in need is something that God likes all of us to do, so as part of the Christian lifestyle, we are to help everyone we can.
Join us tomorrow for part four of our series, Our Mouths.
