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. Acts 4:32
I grew up watching Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. One thing he taught his listeners was when scary or bad times come, “look for the helpers.” In other words, there are people ready and able to help during hard and uncertain times. It’s funny; now, as an adult, I see that there is a different message from Mister Rogers: be a helper. One of the incredible things about generosity is that we get to take care of others and meet needs. Out of the abundance we have been given, we get to help. We get to meet the needs around us, especially in the church. One way we do this is through generosity.
The early church was such a model of generosity. They took care of each other. Acts 4 tells us that in the church, “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” (verse 32). Can you imagine how beautiful this picture was? The early church held nothing back and lived with extravagant generosity. They took such care of each other that “there were no needy people among them” (verse 34). We even have specific examples of people in the early church who generously gave. A man named Barnabas sold “a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles” (verse 37). He is just one person who supported the church and gave generously. The church took care of each other.
The church is still called to take care of each other today. The main way we can do this is by giving financially to the church. When we do this, our church can meet the needs of people within the church, in our community, and beyond. So how will you support the church today?
Now that we have spent the week talking about generosity, it is time to be generous! How can you specifically practice generosity toward the church today? Maybe it is time for you to begin tithing. Maybe you have been tithing, but you can give a little extra than 10 percent. Maybe you could volunteer your time in Kid’s Planet. Whatever it looks like, make a plan to be generous today. To read more or to come up with an action plan, please take time to go to our giving website at www.sagebrush.church/give.
Acts 4:32-37 (NLT)
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.
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