Day 4 - Sharing, an Expression of Our Unity

Authentic worship leads to service, because a true worship of God opens the heart to love Him in all things, and to love all things for His sake.   As we are transformed by grace into living witnesses of the living the Lord, so our worldview is transformed. No longer are we attached to things of this world, and no longer do we see people as merely “somebody else”, but instead they are truly brothers and sisters in Christ. So strongly did the early Church support one another, they actually had all things in common. There was “no needy person among them...each received according to his need.”(Acts 4:35, 1:45)

            Transparency in dealings, a truly selfless service, is vital to the communion of the early Church, as bluntly noted in the Acts 5:1-10. Ananias and his wife Sapphira, upon being denounced by Peter for lying to God, die suddenly.  Peter clarifies that the goods were theirs to do with as they please, but to present them before the Lord and the community as their entirety - when in fact it was not – was to betray ones brethren. But, above all, it was a sin against the Spirit as they attempted to “fool” God.  This whole story reminds us that we are stewards of what we possess, and the need to be forthright and honest in our service to the people of God.

            Special care was given to those who could not care for themselves. At this time widows had no social status or  prospects. Chapter 6 points out two things: 1. the work was so great that the Deaconate was born in order to render service to the widows, and 2. there was to be no picking and choosing according to cultural background.           

            When a local area was unable to care for itself, the churches of other areas would provide for them through collections. One definitive example of this practice, still so much in practice today, was in reaction to the famine in Jerusalem. "The disciples determined that, according to ability, each should send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea. This they did, sending it to the presbyters in care of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:29) Certainly not to be overlooked as a ministry of service are the great number or miracles and healings that were performed by the Lord through the Apostles. Though these miracles were not then, nor are they now, the essence of the faith, they indeed demonstrate God’s fatherly care for His children.  “So great were the works done by God through Paul” that even objects touched by him could bring healing to the sick. (Acts 19:12)

            This charity was not limited to collections of money, great miracles, and the service of the Deacons. Several lay people are noted for their good works. Lydia of Joppa gave alms and did many good works, young men buried Ananias and his wife, homes were opened to the apostles for safety and for hospitality. The breaking of the bread, occurring in the homes of the people, meant that this service did not merely extend outside in the public square, but was brought into the home. This perhaps is a crucial point: service begins in the home, and with those nearest to you.  PRAYER, SERVICE, and fidelity to the ONE HEAD

Day 4 emphasises Sharing as the second expression of unity. Just as the early Christians held all things in common, the Church in Jerusalem calls upon all brothers and sisters in the church to share goods and burdens with glad and generous hearts, so that nobody stays in need.