March 31, 2023 – Friday
Acts 4:32 NIV
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
Comments
How powerful to read 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. What jumps out to me is how they were all of one accord, one in heart and mind. This can only be the impact of the Holy Spirit working among them.
The way the verse reads you might think no one claimed ownership of anything and everyone tried to be alike. But such was not the case, as this was not structural, but voluntary. Individuals were not forced into the behavior pattern of others.
Instead, as we read in the next two verses, 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. The message of the risen Jesus and the forgiveness of sins moved their hearts as they saw more added to the number daily. Personal properties were still owned by various members who sold them when the need arose among them. Needs were addressed by the sale of personal properties without the use of force.
An example of this is given in the next two verses, 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. The way this reads, is that Barnabas sold a field he owned, not all the fields he owned. Ownership of private property was not rejected. It was all a matter of the heart and helping spread the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and salvation through Him.
Bottom Line: Be of one faith with your brothers and sister in Christ, doing all you can (God knows your heart) to spread the Gospel, that salvation comes through Jesus.
Prayer: Almighty God, Help us always to share Your message of salvation through Jesus on the cross and then resurrected through our own lives and by supporitng missionaries and evangelists. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek