In the context of our text, in general terms, Paul is teaching us to put off the old way of life, be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and put on the new way of life (4:22-24). Specifically we saw this includes putting away falsehood and speaking the truth (v.25). In our last study in v.26-27 we saw the need to put aside sinful anger and to be careful with righteous anger (4:26-27). In todays' passage we are looking specifically at not stealing, but instead, working and giving (4:28). The study will follow the outline below:

1. Stop Stealing (v. 28a)
2. Start Sweating (v. 28b)
3. Start Sharing (v. 28c)

Since God has given to us so great salvation by giving us to His Son, who then gave Himself for us, we should be moved to give ourselves to God. And, according to this verse, one way that we do this is by giving ourselves in labour that we might have something to give to those who are in need. That is gospel-driven living. Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich”.

The person who was accustomed to stealing in his old life is to put that away. But as we have been learning, we must replace the bad with the good. Verse 28 implies several changes: from laziness to hard work; from deception to honesty. Change from irresponsibility to responsibility; from selfishness to service; from thinking only of my needs to thinking of the needs of others; from taking to giving. Our lives as Christians should reflect these changes.

Getting Started                          

1. Have you ever stolen an item from the grocery store? Were you ever caught? What were the consequences? Share your story.

• Read Ephesians 4:23-28

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling?

 Digging Deeper

3. Read Exodus 20:15. What are the implications and applications for this command to us believers today? 

4. Read Genesis 3:17-19. If work was (is) a gift from God, what changed at the fall as far as labour (work) is concerned?   

5. The last part of verse 28 says, that we must labour so that we “may have something to share with anyone in need.” How does sharing reflect to the world the character of God?

 The Heart of the Matter

6. Martin Luther once came upon a group of peasants who were breaking into a mill to take some corn. “What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded. Terrified, one of the men answered, “We know it’s wrong to steal, but after all, we have to live.” Luther indignantly responded, “I do not know that one must live. But one must be honest!” (In “Our Daily Bread,” Summer, 1979.)

True or false? Discuss and comment on the following statements:

• STEALING STEMS FROM NOT TRUSTING GOD TO SUPPLY YOUR NEEDS. 

• STEALING STEMS FROM LAZINESS. 

• STEALING STEMS FROM SELFISHNESS AND GREED. 

• STEALING STEMS FROM A TEMPORAL VALUE SYSTEM. 

• STEALING STEMS FROM A LACK OF GENUINE CONVERSION.