Glutton-Free: Cultivating a Theology of Enough
Part 8: No Poor Among Them
It is easy to feel guilty or burdened when considering destitute poverty. My mom once explained conviction to me in a way I had never thought about before: “God’s invitation to join him in changing to become more like Christ.” Only through becoming more like the God of the poor can we take ongoing action to help the poor.
Acts 2 give us a wonderful example of the early church’s generosity:
“Giving surplus to needy brothers and sisters was not enough. They regularly dipped into capital reserves and sold property to aid the needy. … They simply gave until the needs were met. The needs of the sister and brother, not legal property rights or future financial security, were the deciding factors.” (Sider. Loc 1876, 1915).
Such sacrificial giving was an amazing testimony. Acts continues by describing the early believers going to the temple and eating together, having favor with all the people, and the Lord adding daily to their number.
“Redeemed economic relationships in the early church resulted in the spread of the Word of God. What a sobering thought! Could the same thing happen today? … Are those who talk about the importance of evangelism prepared to pay the price?” (Sider. Loc 1889, 1901).
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