All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 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.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:32-37
“Nay, this was My command unto them, Let none of you bear a grudge
of evil against his neighbor in his heart, and love you not a false
oath…
Thou shalt not exalt thyself, but shalt be lowly minded in all
things. Thou shalt not assume glory to thyself. Thou shalt not
entertain a wicked design against thy neighbor; thou shalt not admit
boldness into thy soul…
Thou shalt not doubt whether a thing shall be or not be. Thou shalt
not take the name of the Lord in vain. Thou shalt love thy
neighbor more than thine own soul. Thou shalt not murder a child by
abortion, nor again shalt thou kill it when it is born. Thou shalt
not withhold thy hand from thy son or daughter, but from their youth
thou shalt teach them the fear of God.
Thou shalt not be found coveting thy neighbors goods; thou shalt not
be found greedy of gain. Neither shalt thou cleave with thy soul to
the lofty, but shalt walk with the humble and righteous. The
accidents that befall thee thou shalt receive as good, knowing that
nothing is done without God. Thou shalt not be double minded nor
double tongued…
Thou shalt make thy neighbor partake in all things, and shalt not say
that anything is thine own. For if ye are fellow partakers in that
which is imperishable, how much rather shall ye be in the things
which are perishable. Thou shalt not be hasty with thine own tongue,
for the mouth is the snare of death. So far as thou art able, thou
shalt be pure for thy soul’s sake.”
Barnabas in Epistle of Barnabas 2:8; 19:3, 5, 6, 8.
This exploration of the relations between generosity and our neighbor continues to move me deeply.
Notice that in today’s Scripture, there were no needy people because those with resources shared with those in need.
And we see the example of Barnabas, selling a piece of land and putting the resources at the feet of the Apostles.
From there, we read from the epistle attributed to Barnabas. He calls us to the same radical living as Gospel.
Two points stuck out to me. Firstly, he urges us to love our neighbor more than we love ourselves.
That’s what it takes for us to overcome our selfishness and fleshly ways. We need to put the needs of others ahead of our own.
And, secondly, Barnabas calls us to “make” our neighbor partake in all things, and he echoes Scripture telling us not to say we own anything.
As the new year begins, consider the implications of what we have learned so far for your generosity.
Everyone is our neighbor. We need to be discerning in giving alms. And we need to love our neighbor more than our own soul and make them partake of all good things.
If we pause there we realize that all this comprises what Jesus did for us. He treated everyone as neighbor. He acted with discernment. And He loved us more than His own soul and made us partake of all good things.
Jesus, help our generosity imitate yours for your glory.