After lies and anger (Ephesians 4:25-27), theft is the next no-go area for Christians.  The implication of this verse is that theft might even appear to have a genuine motive - no employment, no money, no food or shelter; and so theft is legitimised.  But God sees it differently.  The solution is to find work or do something so that you can honestly and morally trade for a fair reward.  Despite the millions choosing only white-collar jobs, there is no shame in manual work ... and the Apostle commends it.

Despite his great intellect and university background, Paul chose to be a tentmaker in order to support his own missionary service (Acts 18:1-3).  Indeed, tentmaker Paul refused the usual honorarium for his 'religious' lectures, and did not even accept gifts from the churches that he founded and served (1 Corinthians 9:18).  He commended manual work to everybody, and practised what he preached.  However hard these words may fall on the ears of the unemployed, they have wisdom.  If you can work, then is it right to accept social benefits, or is it stealing from the state?  If you cannot get a job, and cannot afford to buy goods to sell (or do not understand the necessary business dynamics), you can sell a service.  Cleaning houses/offices, washing dishes and labouring is better than stealing.

Of course, there is more to work's reward than feeding and amusing yourself, and the family.  What we earn is to be spent, yes, but also to be given away.  The Old Testament principle of tithing was designed to teach that all we have is not all for ourselves - 10% of earnings were to go back to the Lord (Numbers 18:26).  That principle was continued in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 16:2).  As we meet the needs that He wants to satisfy in others, we give to Him.  So stealing and giving are at opposite ends of the spectrum, with work in the middle.

More stealing happens in the workplace than many recognise. The employers' goods do not belong to the employees.  If payment is made for the number of hours worked, then taking time off without permission is theft.  Expenses may be more 'personal' than 'business'; travel can be unnecessarily luxurious, and tax-avoidance can merge into tax-evasion. Perhaps it is time to audit this area of life.  Integrity is an essential element of Christian witness in the workplace.  Taking what does not belong to you, and failing to work properly for the time you are paid, is wrong.  So is getting money for your family and not sharing it with others in need.  The Apostle Paul speaks directly into our age when he writes that all stealing must stop, immediately.