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I SHALL NOT WANT
LORD’S DAY, AUGUST 23
Acts 4:34-35

Psalm 23:1-6

 

“He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures…”

 

I SHALL NOT WANT
 
In dire situations when fellow brethren need help, Christians are called to be the first to share what they have received. Thus, the Apostle John said, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18). We need to emulate what the early Christians did for one another.
 
Give of what they owned: This described their mutual support for one another towards a common goal, which was to witness for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. There was voluntary selling of their houses and lands in order to assist one another. This was not compulsory or enforced on the believers. It was the Holy Spirit who moved those who had possessions to perform these acts of charity. They sold their properties seeing the needs of their brethren. Their main goal of oneness even in possessions was not to establish a new and isolated community, but to witness for Christ’s resurrection.
 
Given of what they needed: When the brethren who had properties sold their possessions, they were conscientious to lay before the Apostles the amount they received. They did not keep for their own but gave to the treasury of the church through the Apostles. They trusted the Apostles to distribute what they had offered to the Lord in a manner that would be guided by the Spirit of God. This confidence must be in the hearts of the believers. Sure enough, when these were distributed, it was given unto no favouritism but was according to what the brethren required for their daily provisions. The Spirit of God apportioned to each of them through the Apostles what God’s allocation for them was.
 
Are you convicted by the Spirit of God to help the brethren in third world countries who are hungering? Are you willing to sacrifice your comfort and luxuries in life to provide for their needs?
 
THOUGHT: Am I a stingy Christian?

PRAYER: Father, help me to acknowledge that all that I have is from Thee.

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