First-century society was highly divided. At the top were people known as benefactors. At the bottom were slaves, and just above them were free people in the peasant class.
To understand how this system worked, it helps to note that peasants and slaves rarely ate meat. Most people ate meat only during festivals paid for by benefactors. In Roman cities, peasants gathered each morning to praise a wealthy benefactor. On occasion, the benefactor would appear before them and toss them bits of food or small coins.
The early church included some wealthy people. For example, on the day of Pentecost, 120 people gathered in someone’s home. This likely included people inside the house and others in the courtyard.
Joseph of Arimathea was another wealthy person. He had enough means to own a tomb and give it to Jesus.
In contrast to this divided society, the early church offered a clear alternative. This section of Acts highlights that difference:
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:32-33).
George Westlake has a Ph.D. in Biblical Greek. Several years ago, we had breakfast together, and he told a few of us at the table about starting the Sheffield Family Life Center. At first, no one would lend them money. People thought it was crazy to start a new church in a very poor area of Kansas City.
He said that once the church became wildly successful, anyone was willing to lend them money. Institutions’ willingness to lend money is only one sign of God’s grace on the congregation.
One of the best examples is how wealthy individuals freely connect with some of the lowest-income people in the Kansas City metro area. A business owner is often apt to be seated beside a single-income mother on welfare at Sheffield.
Sheffield Family Life Center, along with many churches that share a similar mission, demonstrates a principle found as far back as the Book of Acts. When people from different economic and racial backgrounds find true community, it becomes a powerful witness to God’s work.
Generous Giving
No rulebook required the early church to give. Instead, they were led by the Spirit and gave when they saw the needs of others:
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need (Acts 4:34-35).
There is a difference between this kind of giving and communism. Communism requires giving by law. This giving was not forced by any law; it came from the leading of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit moved people to want to help those in need.
One man said, “Show me your checkbook, and I will show you the state of your spiritual life.”
When we consider our willingness to give, we can ask ourselves: Are we following the Spirit’s leading, or are we following fear or greed when it comes to helping those in need?
Barnabas was one of the most generous givers. He became a key supporter of the early church’s growth:
There was a Levite from Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:36-37).
In chapter five, we see the tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira. They wanted to look religious, but their hearts were greedy. What a contrast to Barnabas.
As we think about giving, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts. May we respond to his leading as we care for people in need and relate to those who are different from us, whether by background, ethnicity, or race.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Acts 4:32-5:11 today on YouTube.
