He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 

                                                                                                               Ephesians 4:28 

Perhaps by now, we are seeing the connection between Jesus’ statement, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) and the last six commandments. How do we love others? We respect our parents, the lives of others, and marriage. And today, we add to that list, respect for the property of others or the eighth commandment, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15).

In today’s passage, Paul gives us instructions regarding our purpose on this earth. First, he echoes the eighth commandment by stating, “He who steals must steal no longer.” The Bible tells us that those who do not provide for their families have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8). That should tell us that having faith in Jesus and working in the calling that He has placed on our lives goes hand in hand. When we steal, we are taking something that does not belong to us. When we work for what we have, we see the provision of God for us. This means that we can openly and confidently enjoy the material things that God has blessed us with without having to hide or apologize for having them.

Secondly, our labor is to be done with our own hands. Everyone has a purpose for getting up each day. When we discover the gifts and talents that God has given to us, we begin to find purpose and meaning to our lives. Many people merely work to make a living without actually discovering what it is that they enjoy doing. But once we find our gifting, we are then moving from merely having a job to finding a career and a place to focus our efforts and creative abilities.

Thirdly, the work that we do is, “so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” Our entire lives are to be in service to others. Consider the following passages regarding service:

But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

                                                                                                                     Luke 6:27-28 

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.                                                                                               

                                                                                                                 Luke 6:35-36 

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. 

                                                                                                                 Luke 6:37-38 

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor… 

                                                                                                               Romans 12:10 

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

                                                                                                               Philippians 2:3-4 

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

                                                                                                            Ephesians 4:28-29 

It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

                                                                                                        Matthew 20:26-28 

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 

                                                                                                         Galatians 5:13-14 

We are not to steal rather we are to enjoy the fruits of our own labor. Everything that we do should flow from the gifting that God has given each of us. And the fruit of this labor is for sharing with others who have need. This is the essence of the eighth commandment.