No One Needy

The sister said something profound.

When they recognised who the source for everything was, it made it easier for them to share.

This was coming from a group study of Acts 4 where in the aftermath of the threats to shut up about Jesus and the prayer that the saints had as a result. Luke reports a community of believers that in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ lived in such a way that there was no one needy. People, moved by the love of God, did what it took to ensure that resources were available to meet the needs of all. No coercion, no taxation, no legislation, no advertising campaign, no guilt trips, no scheme promising material benefits for sowing a seed into the ministry.

The people were of one heart and soul, there was no sense of a selfish motive. Folks did what they did moved by the Spirit in community.

Of course because it was as much a human endeavour as a spiritual one, there was later an expression of someone looking to corrupt the system. The response to that was somewhat fatal.

Nevertheless we are painted a picture before that of a community that lived for each other, looked out for each other and saw anything they had as belonging to each other as they had need.

That kind of community life where no one is needy is evidently possible. I wonder if today it’s as desirable.

(Photo by Ben White on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden