Note 22 at Eph. 4:28: Paul instructs those who were thieves before their conversion to now labor so they can start giving to others. This is the real issue with stealing. A thief is a taker instead of a giver. This violates the very heart of God (Jn. 3:16) and the way he intended man to be (Acts 20:35).

If we use this as a true definition of stealing, then there are many more thieves than we realize. Many people just live for themselves in more areas than just money. They are like vacuums, always taking and never giving. Those who live to receive instead of living to give violate the spirit of what Paul is speaking of here. In that sense, selfishness of any kind is stealing. Covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5).