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"Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need."

Text: Ephesians 4:28

WORKING WITH HIS HANDS WHAT IS GOOD

Paul’s ethic of work is most interesting. He qualifies himself even as he wrote to encourage former thieves to take up work.

1. Some may interpret stealing as “work”

a) Stealing is indeed work.

b) There are some who are so skilled, they may even be called “professionals”.

c) Paul gives no endorsement on the work of stealing

2. An important qualification with reference to “work”

a) It must be work that may be called “good”.

b) Further qualification of the word “good”.

i) It is morally good.

ii) It rules out that which is immorally evil.

c) Christian workers must carefully distinguish the kind of labor he chooses to work at.

THAT HE MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE HIM WHO HAS NEED

Paul gives additional meaning to the dignity of labor.

1. One must work to make an honest living

To do an honest day’s labor is placed above stealing. The former is honored while the latter is disdained.

2. Working with a noble motive – To help those who are “in need”

a) Awareness of the fact that there are some who are “needy”.

b) Awareness that some are driven to stealing to meet basic needs.

c) The Christian worker is encouraged to find motivation to work hard so that he can help others who are in need.

d) Through hard work, the laborer now earns enough so that he can extend a helping hand to those who are in need.