Dear Friends,
We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. You are welcome to share this and include in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
Scripture: Acts 4:32-35 (NRSV)
32 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. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 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. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Devotional Thought
Wow! No one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common (vs 32 NRSV). In our very materialistic and individualistic society, this sounds fanciful. However, note the key is expressed in the first few words of this passage: the whole group … were of one heart and soul (vs 32). Post-Easter, post the resurrection of Jesus, and we see people living in the optimism and thrill of life in Christ. Read between the lines a little and we can see a group of people who took time to do life together and really know each other and their circumstances. The evidence of living in this upside-down Kingdom announced by Jesus is that each one recognised that they were not their own. They had committed themselves to walking with Jesus and holding lightly the things that so often entrap people to simply accumulating things. If someone had the wherewithal to help someone in need, it was the ‘natural’, or should I say the ‘Spirit-inspired thing’ to share the resource. Now that is truly inspiring!
The back story to this is that these people knew each other well enough to respond to needs. Many years ago, I asked a new attendee of the congregation of which I was a part, to tell me what she experienced in her newfound community of believers. Her rather shocking reply was that she experienced a ‘friendly church but had no friends.’ I suspect that this can so often be the reality for many – we turn up to worship but do not really engage with those around us to know fellow worshippers, engage their heart, to know another’s need. One of the challenges from this passage is to follow the example of the early church. They lived in the reality of the presence of the Risen Christ. They were of one heart and soul. They held the possessions they had lightly and responded to needs as they got to know each other. A spirit of generosity pervaded their fellowship and encouragement was a wonderful by-product in their community.
The apostles gave powerful testimonies to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. However, the evidence of the great grace upon the church (vs 33) was the generosity of spirit that led to the encouragement of each other. This grace had hands and feet, not just words. This grace reflected the Risen Christ in transforming relationships. This grace made a difference in how they lived in community. Now that is a community of faith that I like to participate in! How about you?
Prayer
In these days of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I pray that we may truly live in the freedom and grace of Christ. Heavenly Father, would you help us to allow that grace and love so evident at Calvary and the empty tomb, to flow in and through us. May the evidence be seen in our practical engagement with others. May generosity and encouragement flow in such abundance that there is a powerful testimony to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Saviour, and Giver of Life. AMEN.
Rev Dr Bruce Allder
NTC Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology
Nazarene Theological College