Ephesians 4:28 28The one who is stealing must no longer steal, but rather let him work hard by doing beneficial work with his own hands, in order that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Paul continues his series of exhortations that give direction for how the Ephesians can live out their new lives in Jesus Christ. The new topic is stopping the thievery and developing a good work ethic. There are many reasons why a person may be tempted to steal. Many of these are based on selfish motives because of the sin of coveting what someone else has. The implication of this verse is that stealing is an indicator that a person is lazy and does not want to work for what he or she needs. It is easier to take what someone else has worked for than to work hard and buy it for oneself. Nothing in life is free. Someone has to pay for what we have. The stealing can be spread out so thin that it is difficult to know who the victim is, but there will always be someone who suffers. The victim may even be the next generation. There is always a victim when it comes to stealing.
Paul commands the thieves to stop their stealing and get to work. Hard work has several benefits. The obvious benefit is that it protects the property of others. Another benefit is that it allows a person to have enough money to help other people. Paul directs the readers of this letter to do honest work that can help others. The selfishness of stealing should be replaced by the sacrifice of loving. Paul uses the same basic words for “good work” here as he does in 2:10 for the works which God has created us to do. “Work” here is in the form of a participle, showing action (ergazomenos). This work is described as “good” (agathon). Hard work done honesty as if a person is working for Christ himself has great benefits to the person and to those in need (Colossians 3:23-24). Christians ought to be model workers. By working hard, their employers or supervisors will take note and more likely praise and reward them.
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