Much Grace was on Them

Acts 4:32-37 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. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
 
THE generous sharing of personal property and money is a remarkable testimony to God’s uniting Spirit. One wonders if there has ever again been such a church to so sacrificially care for each other. In one way it doesn’t seem practical. When people sold land or houses, what was their future source of income? Or where did they live? What happened when that money was gone?
   In truth, those who donated to the church had abundant resources. They still owned other land and homes. They gave as was helpful to those in need. And not all did this. The giving was at one’s discretion, not a forced demand. They lived into God’s promise and command as he pointed Israel to the Promised Land: Deuteronomy 15:4 there will be no poor among you; for the LORD will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess.
   God has always blessed those who obeyed his commands. If we stop to consider the Jerusalem church, God would surely have provided them with all they needed. Consider Barnabas. He was a Jew from Cypress. He may have been in Jerusalem at Pentecost. The Spirit anointed him to faith. He joined the church and became an active, giving member. God brought him to the church. Barnabas sold some land and helped the church. Barnabas faithfully responded to God’s Word. Barnabas gave to sustain the church.
   We know that being a member of Jesus’ church does not require we share as generously as this church. It seems God used this as another means to reveal the working of his power to these new believers and to Jerusalem. As the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the LORD God blessed his church with the wisdom to function in this particular manner.
   Spiritual unity opens the way for people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and economics to live in harmony with a like-minded faith. This is living the resurrected life. Jesus’ victory over death had changed their lives. The redeemed believed a new way of life would draw them closer to God. They lived as if they had been born again because they had.
    Barnabas becomes a key leader in this early church. He helped the church financially. He will help expand the church with his true testimony of Jesus.