Acts 2, The Modern West, and Our Twisted Priorities

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,  and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (Acts 2:44-45)

These couple verses toward the end of Acts 2 paint an interesting picture of the early Church. We see here a fellowship that is not only fraternal, but communal. Familial, even. We see a group of people so devoted to one another and to the Faith they pursue that even their possessions are forfeit to the needs of the Body. 

It's hard to imagine in today's society where property is so valued and interwoven with our own status or identity.  It's difficult, perhaps, for us to imagine even agreeing to split money and property with our own family! Can you imagine going to work 40 hours a week, working to put a roof over your family's head, and then agreeing to sell your possessions and split your income among your brothers and sisters?

THAT certainly doesn't seem like the American Dream, does it? Yet, the more I study the word of God, the more I'm growing to understand the attitude of Christ and His Church stands in direct opposition to Western attitudes and ideals. We say earn, Christ says serve. We say take, He says give. We say buy! Consume! Christ says sell and simplify. We say enjoy. Christ says share. 

The difference we see is that this early church understood deeply and completely something to which we modern, Western Christians only pay lip service: that what we have is not our own, and it is only temporary. That in the scope of Eternity, all the "stuff" of modern success is just dust waiting to happen. That, if we are wealthy (and, if you're reading this, there's a very good chance you're wealthier by far than 98% of the rest of the world!), it is by the grace of God alone, and that service may well mean giving it back. 

This ancient church trusted in the words of Christ, who said, 

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)

That's what it means to be a Christian. That's what it is to be a servant. It means putting your Master above yourself. It means looking to His kingdom before looking to our own needs, and trusting that we serve a Master who is faithful to provide for us as we serve.