Acts 4:32-37 | 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. 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 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 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 2:43-47 | Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Matthew 6:1-4 | “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
DAILY PRAYER REQUEST: Lord, help me become more generous.
DAILY THOUGHT: GENEROUS SHARING
The early Christian community was a remarkably generous community. You can catch glimpses of the ways in which they shared their lives with each other when you read the book of Acts (see 2:43–47; 4:32–37; 6:2–7). Their generosity had many different dimensions, ranging from the interpersonal to the material. They gave time to each other, eating and praying together; they shared their goods in common and gave to the needy around them. Little wonder thousands of outsiders were attracted to their life together. There was something radically different about the way they lived. Rather than cling to whatever they possessed, they shared generously their lives and their possessions with one another. They were a sign of contradiction in a greedy and stingy world. Can this be said about us and the faith-communities to which we belong?
DAILY PRACTICE:
Pray the daily prayer request. In your quiet time sit with God and make a list of the different ways in which we can be generous. We can share our time, our abilities, our material and financial resources and so much else. Think of one specific way in which you can extend yourself for someone else over the next twelve hours. It may be by giving them your time, or helping them out with one of your skills, or giving a financial gift. As always, though, speak with God about which one way you are going to be generous. And remember, a good guideline is to ask, “Lord, what will most express your love where I live and work?”