And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. Acts 2:44-45
During the Coronavirus pandemic, many of us have realized how much we need people. When stay-at-home orders were first announced, I heard a number of people talk about having a small group of people, often neighbors, who they could see on a regular basis and live lives with. These self-proclaimed pods or “quarantine crews” served as encouragers, friends, meal-deliverers, and even teachers as parents took turns conducting school sessions. As I heard people talk about their quarantine crews, I could not help but think about the way the early church was described. As I have seen families taking care of each other and living life together during the strange time, it reminds me a little bit of how the early church took care of each other.
We learn in Acts 2 that the early church took care for each other and living life together seriously. This chapter of Acts teaches that “all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.” (verse 44). Among other things, Acts teaches that they also worshiped together, met in homes, and shared meals. From caring for each other’s needs to eating meals with each other to praying, the people of the early church truly lived life together. They cared for each other as they would want others to care for themselves. How beautiful is this description of the early church!
There is much that we can learn from this picture of the early church and the way they lived life together. We often live far more individualistically than followers of Christ are called to live. The truth is that when we give our lives to Christ, we join other followers of Christ and have the privilege of living life together, looking out for each other, and sharing our lives with one another. Paul says it this way in Philippians 2:4, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” If we want to join in this calling, we must make a conscious effort to care for the followers of Christ around us and live life with them, meeting needs and reaching out for help. We must share meals together. Yes, it takes effort, but the benefits far outweigh the work required to live life in this way.
How has the pandemic taught you to live life alongside others, particularly other followers of Christ? What lessons have the way you lived life alongside other Christ-followers during this pandemic taught you that you want to carry with you for years and years to come? How will you take steps to carry out these lessons?
Read Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. hey sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
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