The church of Jesus Christ, as she is envisioned in the New Testament, always takes care of her own.
On the day of Pentecost, a surge of new converts decided to leave their homes, jobs, and relocate to the city of Jerusalem. The reason is because the church in Jerusalem was the first and only Christ-following community on the planet at the time.
And the twelve apostles, who had lived with and were trained by Jesus, happened to live there.
To deal with the enormity of the situation…a massive influx of new converts without jobs or houses…the new church instinctively began to pool its individual resources together so everyone’s needs were met.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Acts 2:44-45
Some have taken this one incidence as a standard for all other churches. They argue that because the church in Jerusalem “lived in common,” as it were, all other churches should go and do likewise. But there’s no evidence to suggest that any of the other churches did this in the first century.
However…and that’s a big “however”…the Jerusalem incident underscores a spiritual instinct that’s resident in the believing community and in the hearts of every true follower of the Lamb. An instinct that’s consistent throughout the entire New Testament: The church of Jesus Christ will do whatever it has to do in order to take care of its own.
In fact, the first three hundred years of church history highlights the incredible ability of the Christians to move money throughout the Roman Empire, to take care of their own, and to even help the poor around them (those who weren’t following Jesus).
In my country (the USA), we are facing an economic crisis. While the world looks to and waits for the government to solve our financial problems, I know many believers who are out of work. Some are struggling to put food on their tables each day.
Thankfully, the Lord has financially blessed some in the body of Christ today, and they are prospering despite the economic downturn.
When Paul of Tarsus approached the Corinthian Christians, who had prospered well beyond the saints in Jerusalem who were facing a major financial crisis, he made this statement:
At the present time your [the church in Corinth] plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their [the church in Jerusalem] plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” 2 Cor. 8:14-15
Paul took up a collection from the Gentile churches he planted as a love gift for the church in Jerusalem, so as to help that church financially in a time of dire need.
In the same spirit, when Paul wrote to the Galatians, he said:
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers [the household of faith]. Gal. 6:10
All told: it’s on my heart today to say the following to every disciple of Jesus: If you are doing well financially, may I encourage you to seek the Lord regarding helping those who are hurting right now, especially those who are part of the household of faith — your fellow sisters and brothers in Christ, members of the family of God?
I’m quite sure the Lord will put certain people on your heart to give to.
If you read my work, you know my stance about clergy salaries and building programs…things that didn’t come into the Christian faith until hundreds of years after the death of the apostles. Putting all that aside: the Lord’s people who are struggling to make ends meet at this present time need help. Perhaps your help.
Without getting into the details of my own routine for giving, what I’m writing here is something that I practice regularly myself. And so do the organic churches I work with. So I’m not challenging anyone to do that which I myself do not live out.
Of course, there’s much more to be said about money, finances, and giving. But this one point is what’s on my heart to share today with both my blog readers. 🙂 And it is one of the practical sides of the gospel of the Kingdom, as I see it.
May the body of Jesus Christ shine in this hour by taking care of its own (and those outside the camp as well) in a world where there is great distress all around.
Credit: Bitcoin era opiniones
