“stop stealing”

Marianela Toledo

In Argentina, there's an expression that's widely used to designate someone who earns a really good salary, or someone who has a job that doesn't require a lot of effort. That expression is “Stop stealing!” For instance, when an actor gets a new role, people might say to him, “Yeah, right, but... how much did you steal?” Or, they might say to a successful journalist, “Stop stealing.” This expression is most often used as a joke — but not always. Because I study journalism, I started thinking about this expression — and that made me think about the real meaning of employment.

I asked myself, What do I expect from a career such as journalism? Does everything I do have to be a real sacrifice, so people won't think I am “stealing”? I began to realize that, no matter what the nature of a person's occupation — being an architect, a lawyer, a publicist, a mechanic, or a farmer — we all reflect God in what we do. He's the one who provides all the good ideas for His children.

Once, I had a job where I worked under great pressure. I ran constantly from one place to the other, and my position allowed me to deal with every department in the company. Though I tried very hard to do a good job, someone would always reprimand me, mistreat me, or complain about me. Since I was very young when I began working — I was in the 12th grade — it seemed that my co-workers were taking advantage of me. They made me feel that I had to “pay my dues.” I felt I had to work twice as hard to prove I was doing a good job.

Normally, I solve my problems through prayer. So I prayed to see my co-workers as children of God, not as complainers. Every time someone at work spoke with me, I tried to treat him or her better than the previous time. When others said something impolite to me, I waited for the right time to tell them what was bothering me. As a result of praying this way, I discovered that these co-workers were actually very nice.

I eventually left the company, but this experience changed my way of looking at my work and what I expected from it. I learned that in all we do, whatever the activity, it's for God. A job doesn't have to be unhappy. It doesn't have to be a sacrifice. God made us able to enjoy what we do. Also, this healing taught me not to think thoughts that keep me from getting along with other people.

God's children don't “steal.” They reflect, in all their activities, the love and caring qualities they get from God. As Jesus said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).:)

Marianela Toledo
Buenos Aires, Argentina

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“stop stealing”

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