⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:45.

Some people are just generous! DO you know the people I’m talking about? People who are always giving things away, even when they (seemingly) have nothing. They remind me of 2 churches described in the Bible. The first is this church in Jerusalem that sold property and possessions just to make sure they had capacity to give to anyone who had need. I don’t know what you think, but that’s petty radical! The second is a group of churches in Macedonia described in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Apparently “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity”. I don’t know about you but I’m still trying to figure out how out of severe trial, one’s overflowing joy and extreme poverty well up in generosity. When you figure that out, please share is with everyone you know, especially in Zim because we could use some of what they had. Apparently they also gave even beyond their ability. How do you do that? They also pleaded for the opportunity to give. Can you imagine begging someone to give you opportunities to express generosity?

Paul’s command to his writers was clear. You also must excel in the grace of giving. It’s a grace meaning it’s a gift from God. Remember he showed the way because he loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son Jesus, so that we would go from death to everlasting life. Let’s follow the example of God our Father and of these early church fathers and mothers. In 2 Cor 9, Paul gives them a couple of promises that we can claim for ourselves. “⁶ Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously…¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

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