Son of Encouragement

Christian Commitment
in Today's World
Acts 4:32-37 (The Message)

 ^32-33The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
 ^34-35And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.
 ^36-37Joseph, called by the apostles "Barnabas" (which means "Son of Comfort"), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles.

For Reflection

Leave it all behind! Yes, all of it! What you are is not what you have.  What you are is not even what you have had. What you are is not independent of the community of believers. In Jesus Christ we are all one not only in spirit but in fact.  For these early believers sacrifice was not just symbolic. Sacrifice of all they had and were was essential. What do you sacrifice?  What do you bring to the community of believers?

Pray That you give all that you possess, all that you are to sustaining the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  Pray to be a powerful witness to the resurrection  -- to your rebirth into the fellowship of grace.