What is your understanding of the word Pilfering?

Titus 2:9-10

I’ve come to this understanding over some thirty + years of reading the Bible, that it is a living book, and that the Holy Spirit will allow me understanding or insights into a verse or passage that I’ve read many times, but never saw or understood that particular truth until that day.  Often, it was a conviction that was needed to change my direction.  I also have read past many passages in Scripture, thinking that it has no application in my life, verses like Titus 2:9-10; “Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”

What if you substituted employees for the word slaves and employers for the word masters, now read this verse, and ask the question, who is the subject of the sentence and what action are they to take?  I’ve stated in past papers, that I identified with the word slave when I was in the army and when I worked in the oil field.  Both of these roles were like being a slave, the army because I had no choice that made sense but to follow orders, and the oil field because I had a young wife that needed my support and I was not equipped, but I did not have the education or training at that time to support her any other way.  But whether you identify with slaves or employees, this verse applies to all who are in the employment of someone else.

First, we are told to be submissive, is that not giving in to the authority of your employer?  And it all comes down to the spirit of how you submit, it should be done with the right heart attitude, if not, you have not followed the teaching of this Scripture.  I must confess that I was a poor mentor to those who were watching my actions when it came to this verse. 

What is your understanding of the word pilfering, is it stealing?  Now I do not like you or anyone else implying that I’m a thief, and I bet that you do not appreciate it either, but most of us have pilfered from our employers.  Words do have meaning and we live in a culture that has been diligent in it attempt to change the meaning of words.  We may agree that pilfering is like telling a white lie, once more, what the _____ does that mean.  Is it a lie or isn’t it?  Now when it comes to pilfering, we often see it as typically things of relatively little value, like a pen or postage notes that we take to use for work, but often are used in our homes or given to family.   And God calls that stealing, it was not yours, and you took it.  It also applies to time that you were being paid for, but you were using the time for your own personal needs, and you did not have your employer’s approval.  The bottom line is that we are to bring honor to God in our employment.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice