2/8/15…In the Book of Acts, Luke writes about the beginnings of the Church. During this early time after Jesus death, the Church is growing rapidly and as the growth occurs, believers are diligent in their prayers and adhering to the teachings of Christ. One of the early verses depicts what was going on; “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.”
This brings to mind another passage in Luke regarding a rich young ruler asking Jesus how he could inherit eternal life. After some back and forth discussion, Jesus says to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when he (the rich young ruler) heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
Indeed, maybe the believers mentioned in Acts took Jesus teaching of the rich young ruler to heart. Instead of holding onto their possessions and goods, they sold them and divided them among those in need. To me, these verses have more in common with socialist or communist values rather than capitalist values.
Certainly when the greed of capitalism occurs, the gap between those with little and those with much widens. Teachings of Jesus repeatedly warn the rich of the dangers of being rich. How much is considered rich? Well, I don’t know. But in the Acts passage, it did not seem to matter, because everyone sold what they had. True, they were all of common accord, which is not necessarily true in my work environment, but still this gives me pause.
I am also reminded of social media. In today’s world, people are on Facebook and share pages with common interests, such as work. One comment circulates within minutes among a hundred or even thousands. As an example, social media contributed to the Arab Spring uprising, which in turn toppled dictators. Indeed, social media topples those whose desire is hoarding their riches while others are in need.
A good reminder of us leaders in the TOIL.
