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Colour-code Acts 2:42-47, marking the words that appear often and these words will jump out – “everyone”, “all” and “anyone”. Who was involved? Every believer (v43), making up all the company of worshippers who availed themselves to the Apostles’ teaching. How involved? Totally. Believers went to the Temple in Jerusalem to hear God’s word every day and broke bread in their homes. What’s more, all believers had everything in common (v44). The Greek root of “possession” refers to fixed property – land, houses, vineyards and so on. Which means the believers sold their possessions and gave to any of the many who had need (v45).
Does that mean that everyone – 3,000 and counting (v41, 47) – thronged the Temple round the clock daily? If everyone sold his possession and distributed it as the need arose, did it mean every person had the same amount of wealth? Checking this against other passages, it is clear that believers were in the Temple during set times for meeting, not 24/7. But they had a singular purpose – to learn God’s word and to worship. It is also clear that the Bible does not advocate communal living. Scripture tells us to go everywhere to reach souls. So a central community where believers live huddled together is not the aim.
Having said that, some of us fall through the cracks. These are those who scrape a living or have no family or friends to turn to in times of need. Contrast this with those who have collections – of cars, carats and condominium apartments – and are comfortable in the cocoon of support from friends and family. The correct interpretation of the believers’ generosity in Acts 2 is that we hold lightly the riches we have and give generously of the time we have. Early believers sold as much of their possessions as was necessary and as often as needed. Just two letters, but the word “as” is the dynamic conjunction here – it means that every time anyone had need, someone would jump in to act (Acts 4:34-35). The rich Jewish believers, like Joseph Barnabas, sold their property as necessary, and laid the money from the sales at the Apostles’ feet. So no one was needy. How wonderful it would be if we were to loosen our grasp on our materials and time and live out more truly the early-church values as followers of The Way.
