“Jubilee, as “no needy persons” [Acts 4:34] is a unifying theme for Christian generosity…The practice of Jubilee understands that, left to ourselves, disparities between wealth and poverty, and lack of economic means to thrive, will destroy the life of the community of the people of God, exhaust the land and the other economic means of support, and allow the practice of idolatry to creep back in. Therefore, Jubilee is a necessary, intentional practice, not to make sure that everything is economically shared and equal down to the last penny, but that everyone has an equal share in the inheritance of God’s people, and enough of an economic base to thrive.”
Matthew M. Thomas in a paper entitled: “’There were no needy persons among them’ as a Theology of Generosity: A Jubilee Vision” (Stewardship Summit 2015) 8-9.
In light of my recent research on OT Jubilee in relationship to NT Christian generosity (cf. Leviticus 25:8-55), I found this paper both interesting and informative. Thomas suggests that OT Jubilee foreshadows the NT generosity in that God’s people overturn the economic tables to make room for anyone and everyone in the family of God.
Rather than waiting every 50 years to practice jubilee, NT generosity exhibits God’s radical love to the world every day, making sure everyone has opportunity and provision to grasp life. And this life is abundant because it’s source is the God of abundance. In other words, we can share with jubilee or with radically abundant generosity everyday because that’s how God supplies.