Acts 2:44-45

All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

The Holy Spirit transformed every part of the early Christians’ lives. Yes, they were committed to teaching, fellowship and prayer, but they also looked at their possessions with new eyes. They were eager to find opportunities to share their resources with one another according to people’s needs. This is revolutionary stuff.

It is really important to ensure that a church’s teaching, fellowship and prayer life are strong, but if they don’t affect our material possessions, something has gone seriously wrong. I don’t believe that there is just one way of doing this. This very brief description of the early Church gives the impression of all the Christians living together in community. It sounds so simple and straightforward, but I don’t think anyone who has lived in community would describe it like that. I remember a well-known Christian leader using one word to describe living in community: “Painful.” When asked to amplify this, he replied: “Very painful.” That doesn’t mean that living in community is wrong, but I certainly don’t believe it is God’s calling for all of us.

What is clear is that God calls us to be good stewards of the resources he has put in our hands. They have been given to us so that we can share them with others, and we will only be able to do that if we are aware of others’ needs. When our love for our Christian brothers and sisters leads us to give sacrificially to support them in their need, the Holy Spirit is at work. When our concern for our communities causes us to reach out and show them compassion and care, the Holy Spirit is clearly at work. However, if the presence of the Holy Spirit is only ever seen in worship, there are some serious questions to ask.

Question

In what way has the Spirit led you to share your possessions with others?

Prayer

Loving God, help me to be a good steward of all that you have generously given to me. Amen