Thought of the Day !!

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
                                                                                Acts 4:32-35 (NLT)

This concept of sharing everything we have is foreign to us in America.  We’re capitalists.  We believe in working hard and being rewarded for that hard work.  We have a since that we EARN a living…that we MAKE money…or that we have what’s coming to us.  And so we look at money as the fruits of our labor…something we deserve to have. 

The first believers took a different view of their money and possessions.  These were gifts from God and therefore meant for the whole group.  And because of this, none of them went without.  None were in need. 

The law that guided them was what James calls “the royal law”; the law that Jesus stated was right up there with loving God with all our heart, soul and mind.  It’s the law that reads, “Love you neighbor as you love yourself.” 

         

These first believers didn’t give up their property because they were told to or out of duty or guilt.  They did so because they had given up everything for Jesus.  We see in the Gospels where a rich man comes to Jesus and asks how he could have eternal life.  Jesus’ answer was to obey the law.  The rich man claimed to have done just that.  So Jesus said for him to go sell everything he had and follow Jesus.  The rich man couldn’t let go of what he had and went home sad.  These early believers did what he could not do.  I believe they did what many of us today are still unwilling to do.  That is, give up everything for Jesus’ sake.

What's getting in the way of you're total submission to Christ?  What do you need to give up today?

In the love of Christ,

greg