It’s Mine!

Acts 4:32-35

What parent hasn’t told their child in a firm, authoritative voice, “You need to share with your brother or sister!”? And conversely, what parent hasn’t heard their child respond in a defiant, angry voice, “It’s mine!”?

 Sharing doesn’t come easy for many of us. In fact, the old adage, “The one who dies with the most toys wins”, would seem to apply to America as a whole.

For the most part though, the first century church in Jerusalem didn’t have a problem with sharing. They pooled their resources so that everybody’s needs were met. Some even went to the point of selling their property or possessions and turning the proceeds over to the apostles.

There’s a familiar verse in Psalm 50 that states, ^“For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.” This reminds us that God owns

everything. He is the creator and sustainer of all that was and is and will be. But is that all there is to it?

The context of Psalm 50 is not that God owns everything, but that His people are more interested in looking good by making showy displays of religious righteousness, rather than getting things right in their relationship with God. It’s the same complaint that Jesus had with the religious leaders of his day. And if we’re honest, the same issue continues today.

Therefore, you and I need to answer these questions. Am I the lord of my life, or is Christ the Lord of my life? How am I using the resources that God has given me; my time, talent and treasure? Am I helping to meet the needs of those less fortunate? Or am I in the competition to see who has the most toys?

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind… And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them.           NIV

 The first century church has set an example for us to follow. The resources that God has given to us are intended to build His Kingdom; to meet the needs of others; to share God’s grace. Think of the impact we could have if we were all “one in heart and mind”.

Random Acts of Kindness Change Lives and Hearts

We learned earlier that the exiles returned from captivity in three different waves and how there were many years between these trips. The first group to arrive began new lives, establishing lucrative businesses. When the next groups returned they found themselves at the mercy of their rich countrymen, who would lend large sums of money and then take over their land when they missed a payment. We would call them loan sharks today.

Nehemiah 5:5 (NIV)
Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

The people found themselves experiencing a new sort of captivity. They were forced to do what they could to pay back the loans, but often that meant selling their children into slavery, a common practice then.

Sometimes helping the poor is as simple as doing the next right thing. We find Nehemiah confronting this issue, telling the people, "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen." Fortunately the people listened to Nehemiah.

"We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say." Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. (Nehemiah 5:12)

Consider a time when you were financially strapped, when you did not know where to turn for help. This week make a difference in someone's life. Do you know someone who could use some help? Perhaps a $50 bill appearing in a mailbox would provide food for a family this week.

Acts 4:34 (NIV)
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 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Nehemiah 5:1-12