With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:33-35
“So generous were the believers that there were no needy persons among among them. The use of the word ‘needy’ instead of ‘poor’ is interesting. Some of these believers may have been rich in their own right at home but they were needy now because they were separated from their property. There were no banks to transfer funds, and thus even if they had assets abroad, they were still in need of food once their own supplies had run out.”
Paul Mumo Kisau in “Acts of the Apostles” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 1334.
Though this text on sharing is quite familiar to most Christians, Kisau brings up two fresh and interesting points.
Firstly, the use of the word ‘needy’ in contrast to ‘poor’ tells us that regardless of the socioeconomic status of the early church Christians, if one had resources and another had need, each one shared so that everyone had enough. This removed the distinction of rich and poor. Everyone had something to give.
Secondly, when the Spirit came upon the early church in Jerusalem, it comprised people from around the ancient world. They may have had resources to get there, but at some point, those would likely have been depleted. Not to worry. Their fellow believers locally cared for them.
This teaches us that when we attune to the needs of those around us and share, we reflect afresh the early church generosity.