[44] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. [Acts 2:44-47 ESV]
Photo from The Chosen {Permission Kindly Granted].
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. This sounds too good to be true. It did not last long but this is the ideal picture of a Christian fellowship or community. As I read these verses, I respond with a variety of emotions. I am thrilled to read about the way these believers were sharing their possessions and the results of this koinonia in action. I have never witnessed this in any church to which I have belonged. I have witnessed very generous people - not the least the Neilly family in Bethany Hall, Stevenston who displayed a lovely spirit of kindness to those in need. But the disciples in the Acts went even further. This was true communism without the compulsion and the bitter hatred associated with the implementation of Marxist principles. Karl Marx spoke about the struggle to destroy the enemies of communism - the bourgeoisie and the capitalists. There is no hatred here. There is no jealousy. There is no materialism. But as I read, I have other emotions. During my lifetime, I have witnessed churches becoming wealthier and more materialistic. I have seen car parks in Gospel Halls resembling luxury car showrooms. We compete with each other to purchase the latest technology and to go on the most expensive luxury cruises. And I have been part of this. Am I a hypocrite?
I love the phrase, "all who believed were together." I am rejoicing to see signs of this in our wee church fellowship at Dawson Community Church. My eyes have filled up with tears as I have witnessed church members demonstrating care and concern for others who are going through hard times. I have been thrilled to hear the heartfelt prayers in our prayer times as we intercede with God on behalf of those 'less fortunate than ourselves.' I have witnessed sacrificial giving. Could we go further? What about selling our possessions in order to help those in need? Janie and I live in a desirable part of Falkirk right on the edge of the extensive woodland where we can enjoy walking and cycling along the canal towpaths or the forest paths. This is a challenge to me.
I am asking myself the question, Would we witness the Lord 'adding to our number those who were being saved,' if we were more committed to koinonia in action in everyday life? Do we prioritise our home comforts before our service for the Lord?
All Christians in the 21st century need to think carefully about our attitude to money. It is not my place to judge other people or to make pronouncements on how we should react to the challenge of the verses in Acts chapter 2. The culture of the 21st Century has affected our attitudes and our values. We would probably not purchase a lottery ticket because it is gambling and we would be unlikely to place a bet in a bookmaker's shop, but are we as covetous and materialistic as our neighbours?
This is a personal matter which we need to deal with before God. In the early church, there was a couple who pretended to be generous and sacrificial but they were hypocritical and were putting on an act. God acted in judgement on this couple - they both died tragically.
[1] But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, [2] and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. [Acts 5:1-2 ESV]
I feel uncomfortable every time I read this story in Acts chapter 5. Am I behaving in the same way as Ananias and
Sapphira? Am I pretending to be generous but in reality I am selfish and greedy? I felt just as uncomfortable when I read the story of George Muller of Bristol and how he lived every day by faith depending on God for every penny as he ran an orphanage. Is my faith in my bank account stronger than my faith in God?
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