He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Galatians 4:28
Last week's message from our series on the Our New Identity in Christ included this reading from Galatians.
It's kind of funny really, that I read it through and studied the passage several times, but it wasn't until Sunday morning that it really hit me what it said. "He who has been stealing must steal no longer but must work." That much sounds good - that's consistent with what we've seen and heard all our lives. Certainly God doesn't want us stealing, that violates one of the ten big ones. And we struggle doing what God wants, but we all try to follow the ten big ones.
What really struck me was the reason Paul tells us to stop stealing and get work. It's not to follow God's commands. It's not even to model citizens or good witnesses. It's not to be more holy. All of these may be good reasons in and of themselves, but they aren't the reason Paul states.
Stop stealing, find work, do something useful with your hands, so that you "may have something to share with those in need." That's why we should stop stealing. That's why we should find work. It's not to support ourselves - it's so you'll have something to share with those in need.
We all need something. Whether you work or not, whether you have any money or not. Find a way to make sure you have something to share with those in need. It really is that important.
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