“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
We all know that we shouldn’t steal.
We all know that we shouldn’t do bad things. Of course, we sometimes slip up, but most of us try to live lives that are not defined by evil. But, living a life just trying your best to avoid being a bad person doesn’t really get you anywhere. Paul told the Ephesians that the thief should no longer steal. That’s obvious. If we have formed habits or lifestyles that are wrong, we should stop.
It’s what Paul says next that really matters. “Do honest work with your own hands, so that you may have something to share with anyone in need.” Not only stop stealing from people, but actually get a job, build something, create something, produce something—so that you can give to someone who is in need.
Don’t spend your whole life simply trying hard not to be a bad person. Be a good person. Find ways to fill your life with helpful and beneficial service to others. Do something honest with your own hands so that you can share it with others. Don’t focus on what you can’t do.
Do something good with your life.
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