The Fellowship of the Believers 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Words, phrases that stuck out:
*** 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. : I think one area many "old school Christians" have forgotten about as a vital element of one's faith walk is the concept of sharing life with other believers. But what does that mean? Just going to the church building a couple times a week? Living together in some sort-of commune? I think there is no truly "right answer", but my guess is somewhere in between...but certainly more than just showing up at church for a service, Bible study, or fellowship time. I also don't think that there is anything really wrong with communal living...but wonder if that is the answer for everyone, either. However, I do think most of us (my family included) miss the boat as far as how much we share life with each other. I think we've become WAY too individualized in our culture. We want to be left alone more often than not. Now, don't read me wrong: I am a FIRM believer in the value of solitude, of just getting away and unplugging. BUT, I think we need to have more open doors to those around us. More truly spiritual conversation. And...well, I'll leave the next thought until after the next verse that stuck out, which is...
*** 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. : So, is this communal living? I suppose it could be, but I don't think it has to be. But it is pretty evident that the biblical way to view possessions is not "mine" as much as it is "ours". I certainly think buying things for our own enjoyment is fine (as long as it's tempered), but that we need to be careful of how possessive we are, especially if the free sharing of our "stuff" can be used to bless those who need it more than ourselves... I know that some folks will scream "SOCIALIST!" when they read that, and as I've said before, I think forced Socialism is wrong wrong wrong...(so don't label me Socialist politically. I am not. Thank you. Carry on...) But I wonder more and more if following Jesus means to choose to have a personal life that leans that way a bit (as in, the sharing of what we "have", freely, no strings attached, etc.). I know that's risky, and that goes COMPLETELY against our culture's sense of entitlement problem, thinking we deserve possessions, happiness, etc. Just a thought...and no, I'm not sure exactly what that looks like in my own family's life , either...but I am praying about what it means...
Questions for me to ponder:
What would a more involved "fellowship with other believers" look like in my own life? Go to church stuff more (even when I'd rather _______)? Plan more gatherings at my house? Proactively seek out other believers to "do life" with? _______________?
What made the early church so appealing to "outsiders"? What makes the modern (for the most part) un-appealing to outsiders? What can be done to change that?
How possessive of "my stuff" am I? Am I willing to truly share, no stings attached, if it's for God's glory?
What does "having everything in common" REALLY look like?
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