In our key passage for this current sermon series “Life Change”, we have been looking at these verses: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:25-32 (NIV).
I want to take a look at v. 28 specifically. “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Ephesians 4:28 (NIV).
Theft is a common problem in our world. Shoplifting and employee theft has become such a problem that a high percentage of the price of things we buy covers the amount lost from stolen items. Whether it is petty theft or grand theft, robbing from a store, and stealing from a person, it is still stealing. Christians are to work. Work in God’s eyes is honorable.
The point of our work is so we have enough to give to those in need, not that we can have more of what we don’t need. The world’s approach is to hoard the things we have. The Biblical approach is to work hard so we can do good and give to those in need.
Here are some lessons from v. 28 that help us have God’s ministry of mercy to others:
Givers and Takers
“It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.” Proverbs 14:21 (NIV). Some young children were talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up. When Brandon told what he wanted to be, he didn’t say occupations like: policeman, fireman, doctor, pilot–he said: “I want to be a philanthropist.” When the children asked him what that was, he replied: “I’m not sure but I just know that they have all the money.” Brandon was only partially right. Having lots of money doesn’t make anyone a philanthropist. A philanthropist is someone who gives to others freely whether their resources are large or small.
In Ephesians 4:28, Paul encouraged takers to become givers. Regardless of our income or profession, we can all be philanthropists.
Learning From a Thief
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Ephesians 4:28 (NIV). We learn two things here about a thief. First, a thief just wants to take. The thief doesn't want to work, he wants people to give to him and so he takes.
The second thing about a thief is he will not share what he has. He is not a giver. He won’t work and he won’t give. The church should be a family of givers. Scripture points us to developing a habit of sharing and meeting needs. The idea is to give sacrificially and to give personally.
How to Live Out Ephesians 4:28
For us to live out v. 28 of Ephesians 4 means we have to grow in generosity. We begin by realizing that all we have is a gift from God–we are just trustees of what we have. Our stuff is not our stuff–all is a gift from God. And we are to be radically generous in our relationships, with the poor and for the Kingdom of God.
How do we get freed to be radically generous now? We realize all that Jesus has given to us and done for us through His sacrifice, His mercy and His grace–then we focus on having something to share with those in need.
