Needy Brethren, Acts 4:32-37

This post concerns how the Jerusalem church cared for needy brethren.

Needy Brethren discusses the attitude of the Jerusalem church that helped brethren with needs, Acts 4:32-35. “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all… not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds… and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and …distributed to each as any had need.”

Some have imagined that this authorizes the church to practice communism. Not so. These verses do not record brethren selling everything and then a distribution made so that everyone had an equal amount. The distribution was made to a disciple with a need. This practice consists of those who can, giving help to those with needs.

These verses depict the character that should prevail among churches today—an attitude of ‘one heart and soul’ toward brothers in need.

Joseph illustrates what happened, Acts 4:36-37. “Thus Joseph, … called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Note that the scriptures do not claim that Joseph sold everything and the proceeds distributed to everyone. In addition, the apostles noted his action and coined a new name—Barnabus.

So, what did we learn?

1.Christians consider and care for the needs of brothers.

2.The scriptures do not authorize communism as a practice of the church.

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#notCommunism #careForNeeds