MAY 11TH
TEXT:
Acts
4:32-37 King James Version (KJV)
32. And
the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither
said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but
they had all things common.
33. And
with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of
lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35. And
laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man
according as he had need.
36. And
Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted,
The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37. Having
land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
When our
giving enters into a higher level in our walk with God, we will begin to see
cooperate response that will produce awesome results.
In the
church, some times it is hard to see the practical manifestation of Christian
giving simply because many of us are so selfish and self-centred. One
distinguishing factor between the early church and most churches today is found
in our text. It tells us that the believers were so much of one accord that no
one said what he possessed was his (Acts 4:32).
When they
chose to live like this, the next verse tells us that great grace was upon them
all (verse 33). As you read on to verse 34, you will find out that whenever a
church begin to operate at this level of giving, they are able to destroy the
hold of poverty and lack from their lives.
This is
the level of giving were people are willing to give their personal possessions
for the work of the kingdom of God. It tells us that they sold lands and houses
and brought the money to the house of God and made it available for the work of
God.
Unfortunately,
many preachers use the expression in this passage (verse 35) laid “…them down
at the apostles’ feet” as a ploy to enrich themselves. To tell us that this is
not talking about giving to enrich a minister, the next two verses tells us of
Jose also called Barnabas who is a minister of God, he being a Levite who was
suppose to receive offerings on behalf of God also laying down the money from
the sales of his own land at the apostles’ feet.
When a
body of believers get to this level of giving, not even the ministers are
excerpted. everyone in one accord key into the move of God to meet the need of
the work and this is were great grace is given to them to walk in greater power
and glory. It will amaze you that in such a place they do not record normal
testimonies.
There are
very strange breakthroughs associated with cooperate passion to give. Let’s not
be satisfied with the individual level. Let’s grow together until we see the
move of God at a cooperate level and we will begin to see the move of God in
amazing ways.
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