Daily Devotional Sunday 23rd February 2020
by William Moody
Acts 4:32–37
They Had Everything in Common
32 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. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 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 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
(ESV)
Here we see true unity ‘of one heart and soul’ (v32). It came from having a common faith, a common Saviour, a common salvation. In the church there is a unity that exists through being united to Christ. We need to pray for that unity to be maintained and to grow.
In the Jerusalem church there was a wonderful selflessness (v32). People even sold their properties and brought the proceeds to the apostles to distribute to the needy (v34-35). Barnabas was one who did this (v36-37).
What was the secret to this unity and love which was worked out in such a wonderful way?
Verse 33 gives us the answer. It was the power of the message of Christ’s resurrection brought to them daily through the apostles’ preaching. That teaching brought grace into their lives. Through the preaching more and more of Christ dwelt in their hearts (see Ephesians 3 v16-17).
Pray for such grace to create a self-less love in your life and in your church.
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