As Paul continues describing what it means to live as the new man, he turns to our attitude toward work, possessions, and other people. The one who steals must no longer steal, because taking belongs to the old life.
But Paul does not stop with the command to reject stealing. The believer is to embrace honest labour—working diligently, doing what is good, and glorifying God through whatever work He has given us.
The purpose of our work reaches beyond providing for ourselves. Because Christ has given His people a new nature, the old desire to take is replaced by a delight in giving. As we depend upon the Holy Spirit, we learn to hold our possessions loosely and use what God has entrusted to us to meet the needs of others.
Our personal generosity not only helps a brother or sister in need; it creates bonds between believers and strengthens the whole body of Christ. May God make us a church whose work is done for His glory, whose possessions are used for His kingdom, and whose generosity strengthens His people.