The entire act was caught on surveillance tape: While three friends and I dined at an outdoor café in East Africa, a man wearing a black jacket entered and sat down at a table located at the opposite side of the restaurant. My friends and I didn’t notice him, not even when he swiftly moved to the table next to ours. The man took advantage of our lack of awareness and—as we prayed over our meal with eyes closed—took my handbag off the back of my chair, slipped it under his jacket, and bolted.

It’s likely the thief experienced added elation over his successful scheme when he discovered that the handbag contained money, an expensive camera, and more treasures. I imagine he felt no remorse, much like the Israelites as described in Jeremiah 2:26. “Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught.”

Scripture contains a strong word of advice for my handbag-snatcher and culprits like him. “If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need” (Ephesians 4:28). This message applies to all of us non-handbag-snatchers as well, for it’s likely that on more than one occasion we’ve taken something that belongs to someone else. For example, have you ever taken credit for a colleague’s work or idea? Or perhaps you’ve temporarily stolen someone’s happiness by saying something hurtful or untrue to him or her.

I confess that too many times I’ve done such things. And the rewards of taking, I’ve found, never measure up to the joy of working hard and giving as one who is God’s own (v.30). When we give, He says we store up treasures for ourselves in heaven. The treasures of those “handbags” never get old or develop holes—or get stolen (Luke 12:33).