A little boy watched his mom pull a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven. When she said, “These are for your friends at church,” he quickly grabbed one and ran to his room. A few minutes later, she found him sitting on the floor, clutching the cookie in his fist.
“Why aren’t you eating it?” she asked.
He said, “Because if I open my hand, you’ll make me share.”
She smiled gently and replied, “Son, as long as your hand stays closed, you won’t lose what’s in it, but you also can’t receive anything else.”
That’s how some of us live life. We have our hands tightly closed around what we think is ours. But God calls us to live with open hands. Ephesians 4:28 (ESV) says:
“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.”
In other words, God doesn’t just want us to stop taking. He also wants us to start giving. The goal of honest work isn’t simply having more for ourselves, but being equipped to bless others. When we open our hands to give, we make room for God to fill them again – not just with things, but with joy, purpose, and His likeness in us.
Many people believe that they would be more generous if they had more money. According to the Billionaire Census 2024, Billionaries worldwide gave .1% to .3% of their wealth to charitable causes annually. Be generous with whatever amount of money God has entrusted to you. A disciple of Jesus is called to pursue generous living!
Changing Your Ways
Ephesians 4:28- “let him that stole steal no more”
Salvation doesn’t just forgive sin; it transforms life (II Cor. 5:17)! The one who took now gives! Stealing is the description of one who does not have a relationship with Jesus. Theft was common in city life under Roman rule. By calling believers to work honestly, Paul is promoting a new moral identity rooted in Christ. This would be an identity that stood out sharply from the surrounding culture. There are three elements to theft.
The Victim of Theft. Now as a believer, you know that God is the avenger of all such injuries! (I Thessalonians 4:6)
The Outcome of Theft. Believing that stealing is the easier path to supply your needs, will lead you to all sorts of idleness that will help you find many forms of wickedness.
The Road of Theft. The thief receives his gain with such ease that he is prone to squander his gains to gratify his own lusts. Theft does not support a wise and faithful stewardship of resources.
A visitor once toured a cathedral under construction and asked three workers what they were doing.
The first said, “I’m laying bricks.” The second replied, “I’m building a wall.” But the third smiled and said, “I’m building a house for God.” All three were performing the same task, but only one saw the greater purpose behind it.
That’s what Paul points to in Ephesians 4:28 (ESV):
“…doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”
Hard work isn’t just about making a living. It’s about living with purpose. When our motivation is pure, we’re not working to impress others or build our own name. We’re working for the Lord and for the good of others.
The man building the cathedral saw his labor as worship. That’s the heart of this verse. Our work ought to honor God and bless people. When we work with that kind of motivation, every brick we lay, every task we complete, and every dollar we earn becomes an offering to the Lord.
We will change our mind on work when we change our motive for work. The believer’s work must reflect the image of God.
Working with Your Hands
According to this verse, the church was to have a testimony of hard work and generosity. In the Greco-Roman culture of the time, manual labor was looked down upon. The slaves and the lower-class people group did the work, while the others avoided the work. Paul lifts up honest labor by connecting it to God’s purpose. In fact, II Thessalonians 3:11-12 gives the same instruction. Instead of gain through the wronging of others, we ought to work with honesty and through our own efforts.
Consider the Bible’s record on work:
1. Paul worked with his own hands (Acts 20:35)
2. God made man for toil (Genesis 2:15 – before the fall!)
3. No man who is able to work and support himself has the right to depend on others (Romans 12:11)
Express Personal Services, an employment company based in Oklahoma City, has provided temporary help for some rather unique jobs. They've placed workers to chase deer off an airport runway or pour thousands of cans of rancid beverage down a drain.
One of the most unusual placements came from a company in Redmond, Washington. Three people were paid $11 an hour to appear busy and professional so visitors would think the company had a larger staff. Their job was to simply look like they were working. Having a good work ethic involves far more than just appearing to be busy. Whether at work, home, or church, God expects us to give of our best and be productive. (Source: Houston Chronicle)
Laziness is NOT a God-honoring character trait. Work hard at what you do for the Lord!
Giving to those in Need
This verse shifts the motivation for work! Many early believers came from poor or marginalized backgrounds. Paul’s command created a culture of mutual care.
The church is to work not just for survival but for generosity (II Cor. 9:8-11).
Don’t miss this truth! Paul is showing that true holiness isn’t solely about prayer and doctrine, but that it is also seen in how we earn, handle, and share resources. The early church became known for its radical sharing (Acts 2:44–45)!
Paul doesn’t just forbid stealing. Paul goes much farther, admonishing to work for the ability to give! When we pursue the opposite of the sin of stealing, we pursue generosity. Consider these 4 ways we can work for more than a paycheck:
Work with integrity. Paul calls the church to honest labor (“let him labor”). Avoid cutting corners. Honest work is kingdom work.
Work diligently. Paul lifts up manual labor as honorable and God-ordained (“working with his hands”). No matter what the job, work hard and humbly.
Work with purpose. “…that he may have to give to him that needeth” is the heart of the verse. The goal is distribution, not accumulation. Remember, giving is not limited to money. We can also give time, skill, encouragement, counsel, hospitality, and more!
Work to express grace. The thief once took from others, but now he gives to others! This is the transforming work of the gospel. Grace transforms greed into generosity! So, see your work as a way to reflect the gospel!
The story is told of artist Paul Gustave Dore who was traveling in Europe when he faced a predicament. He reached a border crossing and discovered that he had misplaced his passport. Without his papers, the officer wouldn’t allow Dore to pass. Finally, Dore was given a test to prove his identity. The official gave him a piece of paper and a pencil and requested he draw a group of nearby peasants. Dore did so with such ease that the official was convinced he was indeed the famed artist.
Paul Dore’s identity was affirmed through his work. Many people in our world find their identity through their work or accomplishments. As Christians, our identity is not in what we do but in Who we belong to. We are children of God, heir to His kingdom. Apart from God, we have no identity and are but another lost soul in this world. But with God, we are a child of the King. We have hope, we have purpose, and we have meaning. No matter what fails in your life, if you have trusted Christ as your Saviour, you are a child of God. Outside things can change, but you will always be one of God’s own. (Source: Unknown)
Church of God, evaluate your motivation for working. Work so that you may be able to give!