Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

Acts 4:32-35 (NRSV)

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

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Reflect

“There was not a needy person among them.” Wow. Heaven on earth. This is what church is, y’all.

For a brief time, the early church solved poverty and hunger. No one was in need. And, they didn’t accomplish an end to poverty through an economic policy. It wasn’t a tax bill. It didn’t come through the acts of a Bill Gates billionaire or a decree from a president or prime minister. Poverty was ended because normal people like you and me gave up what they owned and decided to share. The Kingdom of God was present on earth because folks practiced that thing we learn so well in pre-school—sharing.

Instead of thinking of what’s mine and what’s yours, the early church was of one heart and one soul, holding all in common. The familiar Spanish saying, “Mi casa es su casa” (My house is your house) was lived out, not just touted as an obligatory adage of Southern hospitality.

What would the Church look like if we took this idea of sharing seriously? What would the world look like? Could we eradicate poverty by being the Church, by sharing? Could we give folks a glimpse of Heaven on earth?

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Pray

Lord who said let the little children come to me, help us to remember the lessons of our childhood. Help us to share generously with our neighbor, and give us eyes to see your Heaven on earth when it breaks through. Amen.

Go with God.