All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. -Acts 4:32
These days when we hear talk about everyone sharing with one another, everyone having all they need, and everyone’s needs being provided for, we tend to get fearful. Such talk rings of communism, socialism, and giving a handout to those who did nothing to deserve it. Such notions are abhorrent to us as Americans. This nation was not only founded upon Biblical principles, but it was also founded on a principle that says that people ought to have to work for and earn what they have. Anything less cheapens what we call the American dream. We hear way too much about folks getting something for nothing. Understand that when the Scripture speaks in Acts 4 of believers not considering their possessions to be their own, but making sure that everyone had everything he or she needed, this isn’t socialism, communism, or someone milking the system, but rather this is the church looking after one another.
One aspect of the church is to see to it that those within the body of Christ are being supported in their times of need. No where will we find in God’s Word anything that sanctions getting something for nothing or it being okay to shirk one’s responsibility in working, making a living, and providing for one’s family. The opposite is true: The Bible says in II Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." You see, followers of Christ ought to be the hardest working, most industrious, and most honest people in the world. That is just one way we witness to the world as to the power of Christ that is in us.
The Bible says that the early church was experiencing tremendous growth. People were daily coming to faith in the Lord Jesus and a great revival was going on. A part of this was that the people were of one heart and one soul. They were in agreement about what they were doing. Now, this isn’t to say that the people of that time always agreed on everything, but they were in agreement as to the Lordship of Christ, the call to witness, and the resurrection of Christ. Brethren, if we as Jesus’ followers can agree on those things we can turn this town upside down with the power of the gospel. I don’t care if a brother is southern Baptist, Independent Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, or Lutheran, if he is serious about winning souls for Jesus Christ then he is on my side – and I’m on his. Believers of today must begin to focus upon the one who gave us the Great Commission in the first place – the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s stop bickering with one another about what we don’t agree on and start working together on what we do agree on, and that is that Jesus Christ is Lord, and through Him there is salvation, new life, life eternal, and Holy Spirit power that overcomes the world.
