All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
Acts 4:32-37

Dear God, I think I’ve always read this passage wrong. I’ve always read it as those with material wealth sold everything and brought it. But it doesn’t say that. It doesn’t say they gave up their own homes. It just says they sold their extra things and brought them to give away.

The other thing I wondered as I read this is how long this practice lasted. How long was everyone “united in heart and mind?” I know it didn’t last forever. How long did it last and how did it start to end? What were the selfish, arrogant, self-righteous issues that brought the first divisions?

I prayed yesterday about divisions in the church and how pastors have a difficult job right now. To totally die to myself is such a hard thing to do. Even yesterday afternoon, my wife and I were talking about some money we have and how we should allocate it. In our minds, we planned to save or spend for ourselves more than we planned to give away. Not that that is necessarily bad. But I don’t think it’s in this spirit of the early church.

Father, make me sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Make me sensitive to your leadings. Be glorified in me so that I might be the man you need me to be.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen