Common

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:44-47

Recently, I have been blown away by this picture of the early church. In our study of Crazy Love, today we looked at this passage and how it relates to the fellowship of the early believers. The question we must ask is, Why can't this be a description of us today? What does it look like to live in community, sharing possessions and giving to the poor as needed? 

"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 

Do we believe that our possessions are not our own but only gifts from God? How do we grasp that truth so that it actually changes the way we look at the stuff we purchase with our own money? Being that I don't have very many possessions right now I think it would be easy to share them. But nobody is asking. It takes such a great level of trust to enter into relationship with people and genuinely live in common. It's unfortunate that this picture of the early church, if seen today in our society, would probably be described as a cult. But I don't believe it's only for cult members. It may look really weird in contrast to our consumerist, possessive society, but that's what Jesus calls us to. He calls us to a radical way of life characterized by a deep dependence on Him and each other. 

I'm ready for such a challenge. Who's with me?