Scripture: 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. And with great power the apostles were giving 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 were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:32-37 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Luke tells us that once Peter and John are released, they return to their community of believers and report all that transpired. Encouraged, all the people raise their voices in praise to their sovereign Creator God and recount how he spoke through Spirit-filled David (Psalm 2:1-2), foretelling how Gentiles would seek to destroy the Messiah, only to play into God’s sovereign redemption plan. As they continue to pray, they petition the Lord first to address their adversaries’ threats. Then, they request that God grant them, as Christ’s servants, boldness, healing, and further signs and wonders in his name. Suddenly, as Luke notes, the room shakes, the Holy Spirit infills all in attendance, and, as requested, they boldly declare the word of God.
Today’s reading concludes chapter 4. Here, Luke provides a segue from Peter and John’s arrest, release, and praise report to the cautionary side-story of Ananias and Sapphira’s foolish deceit (tomorrow’s devotion). We learn that this tight-knit community was of one mind and purpose and thus shared everything in common, including proceeds from selling land and houses. In particular, Barnabas (whose name means “encourager”) sold his field and laid the money at the apostles’ feet. As a result of the communities loving charity toward one another, no one suffered for want. Moreover, the Holy Spirit poured out an abundance of God’s grace on all, empowering the apostles to preach the resurrection of Christ boldly.
Of note: Given Barnabas’ family hailed from Cyprus, it is probable the field he sold was a valuable tract of island real estate. We further learn from Paul that Barnabas and John Mark were cousins (Colossians 4:10). Luke later reports that John Mark’s mother lived in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). Thus, we see the relationship thread that directed this god-fearing Cyprian to Jerusalem.
Takeaway: For Luke’s audience who had journeyed through the Gospel story of his first volume to this point in the growth of the church, they see a transformation of Jesus’ disciples from selfishness (Luke 9:46-47; 22:24-27) to selflessness (Acts 2:14; 5:29; 6:2-4). The difference maker? The indwelling Holy Spirit. Imparting God’s “great grace” to all, the Holy Spirit inspired extraordinary generosity and self-sacrifice, providing visual testimony to neighboring Jews, thereby empowering the apostles’ Gospel proclamation.
Still, the sharing of possessions was not unique to this church commune. Sects, like the Qumran covenanters, practiced communal living but in seclusion. In contrast, these first followers of Jesus presented an open community that welcomed all to explore the truth of the Gospel and share in its blessings. Thus, the early church witnessed what Jesus had in mind when he commanded his disciples to love one another as he loved them and thereby attest that they were his disciples (John 13:34-35). Moreover, their godly living illustrated the intentional flow of covenantal love expressed in the Great Commandment: from God to his people to their neighbors (Matthew 22:37-39).
To put a bow on this point of loving charity, Luke presents the shining example of Barnabas, who so impressed his fellow disciples that they changed his birth name from Joseph to Barnabas. Luke explains his name nickname means “encourager” in Hebrew, but, in its entirety, Barnabas translates as “Son of Encourager.” Indeed, could there be a better nickname for this godly man who repeatedly exhibited generosity, patience, and loyalty—all attributes of a son of our extraordinarily generous and patient God who offered his Son to us to reconcile us to him?
Our takeaway? This early-church model is not a blueprint for our form of government but a prototype for our way of life as disciples of Christ. Whether we live in a democratic republic, a communist or socialist society, or a sovereign monarchy, if we want to change the world with our Gospel, we must become channels of God’s “great graces” that empower our Gospel proclamation quantified by sacrificial generosity to one another and our neighbors. Then, we will garner the attention of onlookers who yearn to believe in a life-changing Truth, Way, and Life.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, the supreme embodiment of sacrificial love and generosity. And we thank you for the Holy Spirit, the giver of our great graces in Christ. We confess, though, that we sometimes take these priceless gifts of your Son and the Holy Spirit for granted and lean toward hoarding their blessings. So would you please help us cooperate with your Holy Spirit in learning to channel your love and generosity toward one another as the body of Christ? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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