Skip to main content

Ephesians 4:28

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
(NIV)
When are you no longer a thief? Is it when you simply stop stealing? No. It is when you begin working, and working so much, or in such a way, that you can actually begin to help others.

You don't have to hold a gun up to be a thief. You can "milk the clock" while you are at work. You can bring home that package of pens or printer paper without permission. There are many ways that thievery goes on, on a daily basis, even amongst those in the house of God.

When you are renewed in your mind, and you begin to think of things in God's way, change will happen. As you think of work with a Biblical mindset, the stealing will be put off. Once you have put off the stealing, you will begin to work for new motivations, not just to add to yourself more stuff.

So many Americans that actually do have a good work ethic, will work for themselves. They work hard to get that bigger house, to get that boat, to get that vacation to Europe, to get more and more stuff. These are wrong reasons to work. We know that we need to provide for our families, but our excesses shouldn't simply be about us, it should be with a generous attitude, looking for ways to help others.

What is your view of work? Are you squandering off of others and not working? Are you selfishly working hard to get more stuff? Or are you working in such a way as Christ would have you to work?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jonah 2:10

And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV) Don't you just love fresh starts. They're not always fresh, but they are a start. The God that we serve is a God of fresh starts. My mind goes to the many times that Christ reached out his hand, pulling a lame man to his feet, and saying, "...now go and sin no more." Or the woman caught in adultery, "...neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." Only a God of grace will allow a swallowed man to repent. Praise Him.

Galatians 5:25

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Wow, this is a really cool verse. Once again, there is a phrase in here that I have never noticed before. The part that says, "...let us keep in step..." It makes me think of a dance. The spirit leads, and I stay in step. When that happens, it is beautiful.

James 1:4

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV) This goes right along with what I was saying in the commentary on the previous verse. Perseverance is one the most key essentials to true Christianity. In this verse you can see that perseverance leads to Christian Maturity, but it is only a whole or complete perseverance that will do this.