“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” (Acts 4:32)
Jesus’ desire for His followers was that they would be brought to complete unity (see John 17:22–23). And that was indeed the case among the first Christians. Their shared faith created a strong bond between them.
That unity was also expressed in financial generosity. The abundant love of Jesus and their trust in His care made them free to share generously. Some even sold houses or fields so that they could distribute the proceeds to believers who were in financial need. Their mutual love and generosity were contagious and served as a beautiful testimony to those around them.
At the same time, it is important to note that no one was forced to make such sacrifices. Peter makes this clear in Acts 5:4 (which we will look at later). Many Christians still owned their own homes, where they could warmly welcome others. Abundant giving was not a new law, but a spontaneous expression of generosity.
Many people, including Christians, are hesitant about the idea of freely sharing their possessions with others. After all, those possessions belong to them, and they have often worked hard for them. What about you? How would you handle your money differently if you did not know God’s love and care?