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?