Can you even imagine living at a time when all the believers were in one heart and one mind? The bible tells us there was such a time in the early church and it involved 5,000 people. Scripture says the people believed that none of their possessions were their own, but they shared everything they had.
"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. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 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." (Acts 4:32-35 NIV)
This kind of living could only exist if you had a HUGE amount of trust. That kind of trust is only available in a true conversion to Christ. The Holy Spirit held these people together like glue as they enjoyed a divine unity. They regarded people more important than things and recognized God's ownership of everything.
The believers knew everything belonged to God and His people. They were in perfect friendship and there was no kind of dissension among them. God smiled down from heaven upon them with great grace and favor.
If only we could recapture the sharing heart of the early church. No one took advantage of another and "there were no needy persons among them." They put God first, people second and material things a distant third.
Oh, what a great time to have lived!
Rick Hawbaker
'Born To Love'
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