Today’s Reading: Acts 4

32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.
Acts 4:32

Imagine selling all you own and giving it to the church! 

According to the end of Acts 4, that’s how the earliest form of the church operated. This passage ends with the story of Barnabas, who sold a field he owned and gave the money to the apostles to spend as they had need. 

Not only this, but anyone who had need gained provision from the church. The money and possessions held by the church went to missional purposes. 

When we think of our own givings to the church, what do we consider? This passage asks us to think beyond a particular percentage we might give to the church, or the particular amounts of money we give to charities or other missional groups. It’s easy to fall in the trap of thinking that we give away a portion of our wealth and that the rest is ours. 

This passage reminds us of a reality spoken across scripture: all we have is a gift, and God retains ultimate ownership. We may not be called to sell all we have and give it to the church, as here, but all we have should be put to use for the church, for the Kingdom of God. 

Think
How can you put your possessions and wealth to work for the Kingdom of God? 

Pray
Ask God to grant within you a heart of generosity, seeing all as coming from and returning to God.

Do
Give something away today.

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.