29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.
This is faith in action. One group of believers saw the need of another group and gave out of their own substance to help. What a wonderful testimony. A famine was coming and those with some wealth gave to provide for those who were hurting financially. I love it when there is a voluntary outpouring of care and concern. These early believers understood that they had a connection to the believers in Jerusalem. They heard of the need and met the need. This is the opposite of a government imposition of wealth distribution. There was no middle man, no structure of officials skimming off a portion of what was given. Barnabas and Saul carried the gifts directly to the people in Jerusalem. It went from their hearts directly to the need. Before big government here in the United States, churches did almost all the charity work. They took care of the poor, widows and orphans. They reached out into their neighborhoods and helped. Individuals helped individuals. Neighbors would give the chicken or odd bag of staple grain. Barn raisings and other cooperative efforts meant that the community met the needs of its own. There was no need for some outside program. If one suffered, everyone gave up a bit to help out. That does not mean that it was ideal. There were still those who horded wealth, just as there are those who horde it today. These early believers were probably not rich. They probably lived pretty much paycheck to paycheck. Most of the world still lives that way. And yet even in their meager existence they reached out with the little they had. They were willing to go without in order that others would have a meal. They were willing to share in the suffering of the believers in Jerusalem. Are there things in your life that you are giving up in order for others’ needs to be met? Are you sharing the little you have with others who have even less?
The Arnold Journey 