Monday, March 14 – Acts 4:32-37

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Pause and think about some of the compelling elements from this passage. What was described that is desirable and beautiful from the church? So many pieces of this passage were truly miraculous and completely different from anything most of us have ever seen. Whether the unity, generosity, or grace of God working powerfully compels us, we must come to a place of practical application. This passage should push us to grow in our faith and go deeper into sacrificial giving then we have ever gone before. That was Barnabas’s response as he participated in this God-birthed community. He acted by selling a field he owned and giving the apostles the proceeds.

Many times, we get overwhelmed by passages like this one, dwelling on how our world and people around us need to change while totally forgetting that change starts with us. Change begins with us as we remember we individuals seeking God to work through us in the time He has given us and the context He has placed us. When we are reminded of this calling, the task goes from overwhelming to a real opportunity to see God at work in our church, community, and beyond. How amazing is it that our God still wants to work through you and me as He did in the early church? This picture of unity and generosity is how God desires to work through His people. May each one of us start today by living faithfully in the next step God has given us so that He may be glorified in our churches, our homes, our communities, and our lives.

• What is one resource God has given you that you can share with someone else?
• What would it look like for you to live generously as you see in this passage?
• Pray and ask God to reveal the next step in your life toward living in unity and generosity.