From Deadbeat to Donor

DOES Christ affect people’s work life? Yes, and Paul gives a concrete illustration of what “putting on the new man” means (Ephesians 4:24, 28). After Christ comes into his life, a person who has been a no-account thief stops stealing and takes an honest job. He becomes a contributing, productive member of society, doing good work. As a result, he is able to provide for his own needs and those of his family.

But the transformation doesn’t stop there. As God prospers him through his labor, he is able to give money away to help meet the needs of others. Instead of taking what belongs to someone else, a Christian can earn enough to share some of his or her own earnings with the needy. This is not merely a call to stop stealing or being greedy. Rather, this is a call to be generous, to have a true change of attitude. Christ changes a deadbeat into a donor!

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.