January 8, 2023

Acts 4: 34, 35 There was no needy person among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (NIV)

People matter more than possessions, and in a world of unending human need, possessions . . . [are] ultimately worthless compared with more important things one could do with one’s resources.*

At first glance, we might conclude that the first Christians were also the first Communists. The rich sold their stuff and brought the proceeds to the apostles for distribution among the poor – which, in fact, left them with no one in need. Is this an example for the church to follow today? 

I would answer that it is – and it isn’t. Read Acts 4, verses 32 through 35, for the whole picture, then let’s look at what we know and what we can assume from the information presented: 

· We know the church in Jerusalem was not popular with the local authorities. We can assume that it was possible to lose your job and everything you owned when you became a Christian. 

· We know those who owned lands and houses sold them . . . from time to time (verse 34). We can assume that many wealthy people owned more than one house or more than one piece of land so they weren’t necessarily selling their homes. We know they were generous and shared everything they had (verse 32) but that doesn’t mean they sold - or even gave away - everything they had. 

· We know that people were willing to donate to the cause but, since it is not mentioned, we assume that they didn't quit their jobs or abandon their sources of income to join a commune. If they had, soon they would have run out of money and found themselves among the needy. 

· We assume that no one issued a command for the church members to give up claim to their possessions. Clearly they did it willingly; probably they did it cheerfully. 

· We know the money was presented to the apostles who distributed it to anyone who had need. We assume that the apostles were wise enough to determine who was needy and who was trying to take advantage of the generosity of others. 

As we consider these thoughts, we see that these were unique circumstances in a turbulent period of church history. Similar conditions exist today in countries where Christians experience persecution for their faith, and they may choose to follow this example of giving up worldly possessions for the sake of their brothers and sisters. For the rest of us, it is an example in that it displays the attitude that should flourish among the community of believers. Jesus prayed that the love the Father had for him would be in us (John 17: 26). If we love like that, how can we ignore a brother or sister in need?

I long for the day when what Luke wrote in Acts 4: 34 will be said of every congregation: “There were no needy persons among them.”*