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.
Stealing is not just taking someone’s personal possessions, but can and does include taking non-tangibles that don’t belong to you, like one’s ideas or even a person’s reputation.
So think about these questions:
- Do we steal time from our employer by taking longer than allowed breaks?
- Or, do we steal time by looking at our social media accounts instead of working on the boss’s project.
- Or, have we ever claimed the credit for something which we did not work for?
Now listen to me on this: because we are saved by grace, we can do work being the best Christian witness possible.
So, in closing, if you have caught yourself stealing from someone, I suggest you do three things: First thank God for sending Jesus, repent of this sin, and start looking for opportunities to help the needy.