October 29, 2008
Spread the Wealth
The early church had its own version of ‘spreading the wealth’ (Acts 2:45, 4:35). Folks with resources occasionally sold what they had and gave the money to the Apostles for distribution to those in need. “There were no needy persons among them.” I’m glad this account is written down because it seems so foreign to the world we live in today. Now-a-days when someone has a crisis donations are sought, fund raisers planned and bank accounts opened for contributions. It does seem as though the church has turned over her needy to the community and the government.
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Gail;
-----I would become a bore if I said anything more about tithing. But the generosity that is a part of our calling has become captured by the professed need to support organizations by providing for them a facility, and assets, and paid employees. Regardless of our propensity to call these organizations “churches” they fail, as you have pointed out, to do what Jesus’ church would be notorious to do. To visit orphans, widows, the sick, and those in jail by the colloquialism of the King James Version, from where the phrasing of the concept has come to us, means to meet their needs, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And it is religion according to James, the brother of Jesus.
Love,
Steve Corey
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