Not shooting, just waving

With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all. There was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned land or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and hand it over to the apostles; and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people. (verses 33-35)

Read Acts 4:32 – 5:11

During the Spanish civil war the republican cause became concerned at the large number of casualties they were suffering. They worked out that it was because of their propaganda posters, which depicted heroic figures charging into battle while brandishing their rifles in the air. Their soldiers were copying this gesture too literally and, instead of firing their guns, were simply waving them about.

The life of people in the early Christian church depicted in the book of Acts is sometimes misinterpreted in a similar way. When we hear of how they shared money and property, often our first reaction is to see this as a form of Christian communism. However, it’s not the practice but the spirit that permeates it that’s important. When God is active in our lives, his love flows through us to others in a myriad of ways. Being a Christian is not about setting up systems but living in love.

Dear Lord, grant me your Spirit, so that your power for good in the world might flow through me. Amen.

by Richard Hauser, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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