“All the believers were together
and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to
anyone who had need.”—Acts 2:44-45, NIV
This passage in Acts portrays the
Christian church at its best. Some have
sought to turn this passage into an example of proto-communism, but the message
is much more profound.
The believers who made up the
church in Jerusalem at this time were a very diverse group of people. Many had come to Jerusalem from many places
for the Feast of Pentecost. When some were
converted through Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost, they stayed on in
the city to receive the apostles’ teaching.
Of course, they had not planned for such an extended stay, so many found
themselves in physical need.
Some have interpreted the passage
to mean that everyone sold all they had, put it in a big pile, and then they distributed
it equally. The meaning is more powerful
than that simple process. These people
knew one another well enough that they were aware of individual needs. As those who had possessions learned of the
need of others, they responded in charity (love) by selling something and
giving the proceeds to one who needed it.
The believers operated out of an
abundance mindset rather than a scarcity mindset. There was plenty for everyone, but the challenge
was to use that abundance to respond to need.
Tony Campolo has a classic statement
that he makes to large groups when the time comes to take up an offering: “We have all the money we need to accomplish
this task. The problem is that it is still in your pockets.” Motivation is the key.
Rita and I visited our alma
mater, the University of Southern Mississippi recently. A friend was showing us around the campus and
pointing out the new buildings. One is
named for Oseola McCarty. Our friend reminded us of the story of the
African American woman who washed clothes for a living but became the university’s
most famous benefactor.
McCarty received global attention in July 1995 when it was disclosed that she had established a trust which, at her death, would provide a gift of $150.000 to provide scholarships for deserving students in need of financial assistance. (She also gave a tithe—ten percent—of the trust to her church.) Given her simple lifestyle, this was an amazing gift.
Osceola McCarty lived a simple life, saved diligently, and cared about others. Her example reminds us that scarcity is a deceptive mindset. Although possessing little, she grew it into an abundant bequest. Most of us have abundantly more but we live as if we have very little. Perhaps we need a dose of first century generosity.
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