Ephesians 4:28 - Everyone Else is Doing It! - Stealing
“28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” —Ephesians 4:28
OLD TESTAMENT TRAINING: The Ten Commandments are the core principles of God’s moral law; the hundreds of other laws in the Old Testament are applications and expansions of those core principles in various contexts. Think “case law” if you’re familiar with modern legal systems.
Core Principle: The 8th Commandment
Exodus 20:15 - “You shall not steal.”
APPLICATIONS & EXPANSIONS
Example 1: Your Animal Causes Harm
“5 If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.” —Exodus 22:5
Example 2: Unjust Scales & Measures
“13 You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. 14 You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. 15 A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 16 For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord your God.” —Deuteronomy 25:13–16
HOW MIGHT WE TRANSLATE THESE PRINCIPLES TO THE MODERN WORLD?
Intellectual Property Theft
“4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” —James 5:4–5
Time Theft – Includes taking excessively long breaks, clocking in or out for another employee, personal activities during work hours, and falsifying timesheets.
“23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” —Colossians 3:23–24
“24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.” —Proverbs 12:24
Social Security – Social security is not a savings or an investment program; it is taking from people who are working now to pay those who are not.
“6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” —Proverbs 6:6–8
Welfare - Hiring thugs to steal from overcomers to enable excuse-makers doesn’t become moral just because elected thugs get a political title.
Provision is the responsibility of the INDIVIDUAL FIRST
“10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” —2 Thessalonians 3:10–12
Provision is the responsibility of the FAMILY SECOND
“8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” —1 Timothy 5:8
Provision is the responsibility of CHURCH/NEIGHBORS who can provide scrutiny and accountability THIRD
“15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” —James 2:15–17
Provision is NEVER the responsibility of politicians who will always give dependents just enough to gain ad retain power
“28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” —Ephesians 4:28
Reminder: God calls His DISCIPLES to help people generously by CHOICE, not by FORCE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Treat others the way you want to be treated
“12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” —Matthew 7:12
Integrity & Reputation are more important than money
“1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” —Proverbs 22:1
How do I give to 1MSO?
The people of One Missoula Church give tangible resources back to God in order to suffocate greed in our own lives and amplify the impact of the Gospel in the lives of others. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues for this act of devotion:
- Sunday Morning – offering boxes on the communion tables at the back
- Snail Mail – postage-paid envelopes available
- Text “1MSO” to 406-631-3323
- Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
- Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab
