Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. AMPC
This verse is talking about our gift —not our job. In the world when one lives independent, not reliant on God, then yes, one needs a job to survive. Opposed to living independent of God —ultimately in the Kingdom of God, God's design is that we give as our means of provision. His design of life is that we give of our gifts in which our hands create. Then of what we create —we are to give away. Our gift is not ours alone, but ours to give to those in need of our gift. How cool is that? God has awesome plans for us—for our good.
Our gift is ours for our provision to enjoy. To enjoy because God knows our gift provides not only the things we need in the world, but it provides for our happiness. Our happiness because our gift is what we love to do. Our gift gets us out of bed in the morning because we look forward to doing it. Our gift gives us a zing for life because our gift/talent was designed specifically (personalized) just for us. Not only do we love to do what we were created to do, it also gives us joy to create and to give away what we created. Just like our Father, our happiness explodes as we can give of ourselves.
God gave us our gifts —to give them away.
As a part of His quest to save souls, His plan involves you. His plan is that you give in His Kingdom to fulfill His will. Your gift is vital to His plan. You have an important part to portray in His Kingdom because you are important to Him.
His will is that we love and that love action is to give what He has assigned for you to give. And so as you give, as you love —that love then represents the Father. Through your act of giving, you live your life for Him —not yourself. As you live to serve and not be served—you show to be a true follower of His.
Just like any other command, it is expected that we give our gifts and then as Proverbs tells us our gift will make room for us (Proverbs 18:16). It will be our provision. Just like Jesus said as we give, it will be given unto us, plus (Luke 6:38).
lovelee <3