During the time of the Great Commission, the idea that Jesus was returning soon, led many to embrace the idea of equality within the community of believers. This stemmed from what Jesus had told his disciples to do; be free of personal possessions and walk with me.
Was this a necessity? Are we missing something today that previous believers held as gospel? Let us explore this.
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Acts 4:32-35
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All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
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With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all
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that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
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and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
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Without question, acts of faith that tied these believers together. Consider giving everything you have and earn for those you love, because of your love for the Father and belief in the authority He placed in His Son. Powerful. And for Jews of the time, the idea that not only had the Messiah come, but that he would return soon, the increase in faith must have been intoxicating to be a part of.
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2 Theasalonians 3:7-10
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For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
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nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
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We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
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For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
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When Paul began his ministry in Thessalonica, he first went to the Jewish synagogue. He did this because it is always Jews first then Gentiles. Then he began to focus on the pagans who had turned to Judaism to convert them to Christianity. He showed all these new believers the Way, which he and the other disciples conveyed in their own actions. He did this everywhere he went. Showing that leaders in Christianity are equal with the followers in the aspects of needs.
Peter and the other disciples did similar work. They were more focussed on the Judaic believers, but their approach of equality in needs was the same as Paul. Paul did not take a wage or a wife like Peter did, but this was clearly his choice.
So what we need to see out of this is, Jesus set an example, Paul and Peter set the same example, all so that we could mimic this example. The reason for this is Human. Humans who seek to have the life that is Chriat work through them, must put themselves aside to do so. The separation from personal possessions and wealth, allows us to focus on the unseen qualities of God.
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Matthew 19:24
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Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.
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The aspects of the Kingdom,(Love, kindness, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, and self control), all stem from being able to set ourselves aside. When we are empty from our worldliness, we are able to be filled and overflow with holiness. So as a group of believers who accomplish this by giving all they have and earn to a group, they have a clear conscience, and are then able to focus on what is holy. And to do so because of their belief in the authority of Jesus, glorifies the Father through His Son.
So it is not that we are less worthy of grace if we are not part of a community who shares everything, no. But it is very relevant that we are still accountable to separate ourselves from our comforts and worldly gains. And we know that to do so on our own proves to be not only difficult, but also an open door for believers to begin to make excuses for themselves.
The root of self righteous behavior stems from doing what we consider as good, instead of what we know is. And to consider a gathering of inequality as reasonable is to deny the example Jesus and the disciples set forth. The ten percent tithe of the Synagogue was shown by Jesus as the root of blindness for many.
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Luke 21:1-4
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As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.
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He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.
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“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
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All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
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The idea of giving what we can afford, versus, giving purely out of our devotion to God. To maintain a futile existence versus attempting to rid ourselves of temptation to focus on the light. These are quite possibly the very aspects we should examine within ourselves. Houses of believers that seek to serve through Christ Jesus, yet, claim their place in the world by their efforts, are attempting to serve two masters.
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Luke 16:13
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"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
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So what can we say? I know that I personally am a hypocrite. I work to sustain myself, I pay my bills, I give when I can to the needy. I have prayed for money before, even recently. I have given thanks for what possessions I have. I have sat in the comfort of being debt free. I have turned away from the hungry to only then feed myself. How have I measured up to the example of Paul and Jesus? I am a failure.
So what now? I can say we are under grace for a reason. I can say many are called, but few are chosen. I can say, truly sin has increased and with it blindness among all believers.
Going forward from this moment, see giving as an opportunity to make right your conscience, not because your act of compassion buys you a place in the Kingdom, no. But because we have failed to mimic the actions of our forefathers. Only by grace are we saved from the great cost of our sin. And in our judgement, will our actions in compassion and mercy be reviewed. Be humble because it is our humanity that we celebrate in our self righteousness. Today as I finish writing you this, I fear God more.
Blessings. Be desperate to give.
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