All Things In Common
A supernatural generosity has taken hold of the Jerusalem church. The congregation of those who believed are of one heart and soul. Not a single person claims that any of their possessions are their own; instead, all things are common property among them. The apostles continue to bear witness to the resurrection with massive power, and abundant grace rests upon them all.
This is not a mandated communal system, but a spontaneous eruption of love. There is not a needy person among them. Owners of lands or houses are voluntarily selling their property, bringing the proceeds, and laying them at the apostles' feet to be distributed to anyone who has need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus called Barnabas, is highlighted for his notable generosity in selling a tract of land.
"And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them."
— Acts 4:32
Timeline Box:
This radical sharing of wealth characterized the unified church in the period following Pentecost.
Editorial: Sharing The Spirit, Sharing The Wealth
When God's Spirit is poured out, sharing becomes the natural result. In the wilderness, the Spirit resting solely on Moses was too heavy a burden. God graciously took that Spirit and shared it among seventy elders so they could bear the load together.
In the book of Acts, we see Moses' wish fulfilled: the Spirit fell upon all the people. Because they shared the same Holy Spirit, they naturally began to share their physical resources. They were of "one heart and soul." True Christian community is impossible without the Holy Spirit, but when He is present, greed evaporates, and the burdens of the poorest among us are carried by the generosity of the whole.
