A Note From Rob ...
Week of April 19
The scripture reading from Acts has been one of my favorites for some time. I am drawn especially to
Chapter 4: 32a which reads, “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul…” and 34a,
“There was not a needy person among them.”
The first part of the Acts of the Apostles is full of stories that seem too good to be true. Timid Peter who
denied Jesus three times before dawn stands up and preaches after which thousands become Christian. A blind
beggar asks for money and gets his sight, people are of one mind and heart and spirit and people place their trust
in God and the community of the faithful in such a manner as to sell all and hold possessions in common or in
trust, as we might say today.
I have led several Bible studies in which we look at the fourth chapter of Acts. These have all been done
in the United States. I cannot recall folks liking this passage. The usual conversation turns to how impractical it is
or to a political system of socialism. After several minutes the group usually concludes that it may have worked
then for a short time but would have no lasting merit.
Then we move to the fifth chapter when Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, are stuck dead for not putting
their all in the community trust. The usual conversation turns to conclude that it was OK for them to hold back but
not to lie about it.
The bottom line throughout the years of study of this text is that we don’t seem to have any confidence in
holding possessions in trust. The logical conclusions one might draw from that is that we don’t trust one another
or we don’t trust God. But before we cast away this model of community care, let’s take a look at who they were.
The scripture says they believed and were of one heart and soul. It seemed their trust and belief in God, which
they all shared, gave them the confidence to place their possessions in trust.
Another thought often held concerning their willingness to be so trusting is that they thought the end of
time was near. They lived as those who expected to die and were prepared to die. Sort of, we are all going to be
gone soon, so why not share. I find that intriguing. No thought was given to making out a will or setting up a trust
for the grandkids.
I have very little hope that society will ever have enough belief in one another to try such a bold solution
to our needs. But I wonder if anyone really can see a world in which no one is in need? The final argument for
such a world order meeting humanity’s need by mutual sharing is the greed of some and the slothfulness of
others; in short, human sinfulness.
But could Christians who claim the same belief in God through Jesus learn to put their talents, resources
and passion together to meet the needs of those who share the same belief? Is being a first century church
possible in the 21st century?
I guess the bottom line is, “in whom do we put our trust?’
I hope to see you Sunday
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