Acts Devotional Week 1

April 15, 2012

Acts 4:32 – 5:2

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.  The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.  There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.  For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles. But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

All were united in heart and mind.  Their desire was to do as Christ directed them to do.  They were open to the work of the Holy Spirit.  They had witnessed the power of God at work in and through them.  They were committed, loyal, and dedicated followers of Christ.  They were the earliest church of Jesus Christ.  From this place, they shared everything.  Their shared desire to do the work of the Lord extended into every part of their lives.  They supported one another in every way they could.  They made sure problems, needs, and differing ideas/opinions did not divide them.  God used these believers to meet needs as they came so that everyone was taken care of.  This sort of unity is to be a hallmark of any church.  It requires the intentional erasing of divisions and divisive attitudes.  It requires a universal effort to do what God directs.  It is a shared work that empowers a community to do what Christ would do.

Two examples are given.  One is positive as Barnabas sold some land to provide money for God’s work.  He did this willingly, honestly, and without need for praise.  Ananias on the other had said he would do the same, but decided to try to deceive this early church.  He said he would give all, but kept some.  His goal did not match Barnabas’s and the early church’s goal.  His deception points to selfish aims that would become divisive if allowed to continue.  In our lives, do we share a common goal or do we see the church as a tool for our personal aims?  Which does God desire?