Those who accepted his message were baptized and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to everyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising and enjoying the favor of all the people and the Lord added to their numbers daily those who were being saved.
This is not Madison Avenue
There was time when the master worked side by side with his apprentice. In many cases the apprentice lived with the master subject to the same conditions as the master. The apprentice would train and educate the next apprentice in the same way they were trained. This brought about equality not individualism.
In the text we see a community that had all things in common and they shared with one another. I will share 5 points that I think will help us build a community based on economic equality not individualism.
Many of us have heard the term Economic Justice but do we really understand the term. Economic Justice says that the economy will do better if all citizens can earn an income for themselves.
IN
My first point is that you must be IN the community of believers. Peter preached a message, and the people received the message and were baptized and three thousand were added to the church. The first step to building a community that focuses on economic equality is that you must be in the community. There are many who are outside the community that say that they are IN the community but there actions or fruit show that they are far from the community. Those that are in the community knows best what the community needs. Those that are outside the community do not have the community’s best interest in hand.
INspiration
secondly, there must be INspiration within the community. Verse 42 gives us a glimpse of this. After being saved this community was motivated or stimulated to action. This community of believers were diligent and constant in their attendance. They never disowned the apostles teaching and they continually communed with one another and had mutual conversations with one another. This community of believers were very concerned for one another and were willing to be taught.
INvested
thirdly, this community INvested in each other. Verse 44 says “all the believers were together and had everything in common” This community voluntarily shared what they had with those that did not have enough to meet their basic needs. Many may have sold their homes, possessions and goods to meets the needs other. I believe this type of giving mentality breaks down the selfishness that is within us. This community was very cheerful in their giving and they did not complain about giving to those in need.
INvolved
My fourth point is that this community was INvolved in verse 46 we see a community that was involved
This community had fellowship with one another in religious worship in the temple courts. The temple court is where they had joint fellowship with God. They also met in their homes and ate meals together with glad and sincere hearts. This community was big on fellowship, oneness and sharing, another way to put it is that this community was on one accord. In our churches today 20% of the people do work of the church and giving. The question we must ask ourselves is how we can get the other 80% to give and work in the church.
INviting
Finally, the community must be INviting verse 47 says the community of believers praised God and enjoyed the favor of all people and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. These believers knew that being in the community, inspiring and investing in others and being involved would lead others to the community. This community knew that praising God was something they did daily and it was not hidden from others
This type of community is very attractive but the individualism of Madison Ave causes us to not see this type of community as attractive. This community was knit together in their hearts having everything in common. If we become this type of community then the surplus wealth of a few will become the property of many. If the wealth of a few is used for the common good then that wealth can be used to elevate those that are poor.
Go to faithfulfinancesforever.com to get a understanding of how you can be a steward of God’s resources
