Daily Hope

June 18, 2021 - Acts 4: 32-37

When I was young boy, our family would meet at Grandpa’s house and there would be as many as seventy-five people crowded into the rooms and enjoying each other on a Sunday afternoon. A close-knit family is a treat to watch when they are all together and are sharing with each other. The joy and bond that exists tends to draw everyone into a spirit of unity.

It is even better when a group of people join together and the sole purpose is to bring honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. The people gathered here in this passage came from various backgrounds and from diverse areas of the city of Jerusalem yet, they were of one heart and soul (v.32). This indicated that they were acting and reacting together as a single unit.

Personal property was considered expendable for the purpose of assisting others in need.

This resulted in the group going out to people who had needs and the gospel being clearly presented to those with whom they came in contact. We are reintroduced to Barnabas as we briefly met him in chapter one of Acts. Barnabas was a Levite who desired to assist the church, so he sold property he owned and gave this money to the apostles to use as needed.

Barnabas’ generosity is recorded as something unique and unusual. While some want to use this passage as a teaching for communal and ownership of personal goods transferred to the church, it was instead given sacrificially and generously. Although many participated, this was not the widespread practice of every believer to give everything to the apostles or the church.

During difficulties, the church family became united in helping and presenting a witness of Christ’s love to everyone who had need. This action led the church to be able to continue to demonstrate the difference Christ and the Holy Spirit made in their lives.

Through the actions and sacrificial hearts of believers, the young church was unified. Perhaps you are aware of a need that could be met within the body of Christ and a simple phone call or a conversation with a church leader could begin relief. Unity is so precious and can be as simple as meeting a need at the appropriate time. Be an encourager today by assisting someone in need.

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Historical Listing of Daily Hope Devotionals.