Hey, Wait A Minute.

Sermon Title: Hey, wait a minute.

Scripture Text: Acts 4:32-35

ILLUSTRATION by joke.

There's a story of a soapbox preacher in Hyde Park. He declared: "If you had two houses, you would give one to the poor wouldn't you?' 'Yes' said a man in the audience, 'indeed I would.' 'And if you had two cars, you would keep one and give the other away?' "Yes, of course,' said the man. 'And if you had two shirts, you would give one away?' --- Hey, wait a minute,' said the man, 'I've got two shirts."

Now hear the reading of God’s Word:

Acts 4: 32-35 NLT

32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.  33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.  34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

That sounds great to a socialist. In Canada they have the Socialist Democrats and they don’t have a problem with this. When Capitalist read this they have 25 questions with in 25 seconds. So what does this really mean?

Socialism in any form never works the way people think it should. Socialism tends to take, in the beginning, a small part of what we have and give it to others. Then Socialism seems to want all of our lives and all of the things we “think” we own. So this probably isn’t Socialism that we have here.

It’s probably not Capitalism either in the long run. Capitalism is you make a better widget you make more money.

The phrase “give until it hurts” was originally spoken by Mother Teresa but instead of speaking about money, she was speaking about giving love for one another.

Without trying to explain what she meant, the phrase was then used to motivate people to give financially.

Personally, I find what St Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. That phrase, “God loves a cheerful giver,” is significant, because of the word “cheerful”. The Greek translation for the word “cheerful” means “hilarious”. That would mean that God wants us to give joyously. If we help others with the right intentions, we will be helped as well, to reap what we sow.

One can only give if he/she or they have the ability to give.

But let us not cheat God by poor planning or giving of our left over money.

Where is the truth of God concerning the "church" (The called out ones) and its money? Is it really OK for the affluent churches to spend thousands of dollars on new buildings, sound systems, stained glass window, new carpet, fancy lighting, etc. when the suffering churches around the world are short of Bibles, short of medicine, short of educational materials, short of buildings, short of support for pastors and missionaries? Are these questions worth pondering or do we already know the answers?

Here’s more food for thought.

Shortly after this chapter, the persecutions began in earnest. Having liquidated their capital would mean that those people would be able to pick up and go at a moments notice. This is interesting for the modern church. Could we pack up and leave in the face of persecution if we had to? And would we get fair market value? So perhaps, being liquid with cash and not in debt is a good idea for the church under persecution.

Although not mentioned in these verses Barnabas was noted for the sale of a field. Without fields and property how was Barnabas going to make a living? Perhaps, this generosity freed him up to be able to accept God's call to missionary travel when it came! Now what does this say to the modern trend for ministers to sink their capital into homes which they may have to sell to follow God's next call? Could this hinder their calling. The same is true about the call of God’s Children.

What does this passage say when all is summed up and tore down to the root meaning?

Perhaps the Lord is leading His people in an age of uncertainty to be less materialistic and into more Love as defined by Him.

Think about it my friends.