Ephesians 4:28

The thief must stop stealing and instead work honestly so he can give to those in need. The gospel turns takers into generous givers.

Cross-references · 28

• 1 Tim 6:18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
• 1 Th 4:11–12and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;
• Gal 6:10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
• Exod 20:15“You shall not steal.
• 2 Th 3:11–12For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.
• Luke 21:1–4He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury.
• Zech 5:3Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land; for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to it on the one side; and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to it on the other side.
• 2 Th 3:6–8Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.
• Hos 4:2There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.
• Luke 3:10–14The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”
• John 12:6Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.
• Jer 7:9Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods that you have not known,
• Prov 28:13He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
• Luke 19:8Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.”
• Exod 20:17“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
• Exod 21:16“Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
• 1 Cor 6:10–11nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom.
• Prov 13:11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
• Job 34:32Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
• Prov 14:23In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
• Luke 3:8Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
• Acts 20:34–35You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
• 2 Cor 8:12For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
• 2 Cor 8:2how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
• 2 Cor 9:12–15For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;
• Prov 30:9lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
• Rom 12:13contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
• John 13:29For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

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