A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

WORK IS A GODLY THING  

Ephesians 4:28 “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” 

Today’s devotional verse begins by addressing the old sinful way of living, namely stealing. Yes, those who the Holy Spirit leads to faith in Jesus Christ come from a variety of backgrounds. Included in the pre-Christian life are men and women who were thieves such as tax collectors who were known for overcharging (stealing.) In their new life they received through God’s gracious gift of faith in Christ to them, continuing to live this way would be incompatible.   

Instead, including in today’s devotional verse, God’s word encourages Christians to be industrious, to use their God given abilities, work hard, etc. Over 25 times Bible passages encourage learning about work from ants such as in Proverbs 6:6, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” The ant’s diligence teaches the value of hard work. In Proverbs 10:4 Solomon wrote, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” In 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 St. Paul wrote, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” 

The last part of today’s devotional verse often is overlooked. Note what it says, “ . . . doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Once again God’s word reminds you that what you do is not just for yourself. What you earn is is also given you by God for you to provide for your neighbor’s need as well. As 2 Thessalonians 3:13 said, a Christian “. . . never tires of doing what is good.” And it is good to remember what Jesus taught, “Whatever you have done to the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)   

Prayer: Guide me, O Lord, to recognize the abilities you have given me and how you want me to use them to provide for my own needs as well as the needs of others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How clear is our vocation, Lord, When once we heed Your call:
To live according to Your Word And daily learn, refreshed, restored,
That You are lord of all And will not let us fall. 

But if, forgetful, we should find Your yoke is hard to bear;
If worldly pressures fray the mind, And love itself cannot unwind
Its tangled skein of care: Our inward life repair. 

We marvel how Your saints become In hindrances more sure;
Whose joyful virtues put to shame The casual way we wear Your name
And by our faults obscure Your pow’r to cleanse and cure.

In what You give us, Lord, to do, Together or alone,
In old routines or ventures new, May we not cease to look to You,
The cross You hung upon— All You endeavored done.  (LSB 853)