To Share or not to Share

Acts 4:32, 34 (NIV) 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…There were no needy persons among them. 

The words in verse 34 are striking. "There were no needy persons among them." There was a time I would have been considered 'needy'. I was insecure and desperate for attention. We all know someone like this, their lack of parental love and attention may be how they came to struggle with a lack of confidence. A parental pat on the back goes a long way to securing a child’s self-assurance.

The lesson today is pointing to the fact that everyone had everything they needed to survive. At first read, I am thinking of money to purchase the necessities, but after prayerful consideration I think it means that there were no needy persons among them, because they took care of any need that may arise. They genuinely loved and nurtured each other. The love the Believers had for one another was complete. They took care of each other. They loved one another as Jesus did.

It is difficult to imagine a society that would sell their possessions for the greater good. It is next to impossible to dream of a civilization that cares for their neighbor’s needs before their own. There was no one in need of the basics of food, clothing, and shelter among them, “they were one in heart and mind.” They nurtured one another, complimenting, walking alongside and generally sharing their lives. They loved each other.

It is when we don't feel loved that we crave affection, and we go after that attention in ways that could be considered 'needy'. We can all learn a lesson from the early church members. Life lived for our neighbor is life lived for Jesus.

Acts 4:32-37