They Had All Things In Common

1
They Had All Things In Common

• Acts 244-47

2
Acts 244-47 NASU

• 44 And all those who had believed were together
  and had all things in common 45 and they began
  selling their property and possessions and were
  sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
  46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the
  temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
  they were taking their meals together with
  gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God
  and having favor with all the people. And the
  Lord was adding to their number day by day those
  who were being saved.

3
Acts 244-47 TLB

• 44 And all the believers met together constantly
  and shared everything with each other, 45 selling
  their possessions and dividing with those in
  need. 46 They worshiped together regularly at the
  Temple each day, met in small groups in homes for
  Communion, and shared their meals with great joy
  and thankfulness, 47 praising God. The whole city
  was favorable to them, and each day God added to
  them all who were being saved.

4
Acts 244 NASB

• And all those who had believed were together and
  had all things in common

5
It wasnt a commune
6
It wasnt communism
7
It was community
8
Circle the Wagons
9
Philippians 21-4 NASU

• Therefore if there is any encouragement in
  Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if
  there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any
  affection and compassion, make my joy complete by
  being of the same mind, maintaining the same
  love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
• Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but
  with humility of mind regard one another as more
  important than yourselves do not merely look
  out for your own personal interests, but also for
  the interests of others.

10
Acts 245 NASB

• and they began selling their property and
  possessions and were sharing them with all, as
  anyone might have need.

11
This was voluntary sharing

• But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled
  your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep
  back some of the price of the land? "While it
  remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And
  after it was sold, was it not under your control?
  Why is it that you have conceived this deed in
  your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
• Acts 52-4 NASU

12
Property Rights are Biblical

• 8 " You shall not steal.
• Exodus 2015
• 10 " You shall not covet your neighbor's house
  you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his
  male servant or his female servant or his ox or
  his donkey or anything that belongs to your
  neighbor."
• Exodus 2017

13
Use Your Stuff for God

• And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of
  a rich man was very productive. "And he began
  reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do,
  since I have no place to store my crops?'
• "Then he said, 'This is what I will do I will
  tear down my barns and build larger ones, and
  there I will store all my grain and my goods.
  'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many
  goods laid up for many years to come take your
  ease, eat, drink and be merry."'
• "But God said to him, ' You fool! This very night
  your soul is required of you and now who will
  own what you have prepared?' "So is the man who
  stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich
  toward God."
• Luke 1216-21 NASU

14
Acts 246 NASB

• Day by day continuing with one mind in the
  temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
  they were taking their meals together with
  gladness and sincerity of heart,

15
Are You Feasting?

• All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a
  cheerful heart has a continual feast.
• Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than
  great treasure and turmoil with it.
• Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than
  a fattened ox served with hatred.
• Proverbs 1515-17

16
Are You Happy?
17
Acts 247 NASB

• praising God and having favor with all the
  people. And the Lord was adding to their number
  day by day those who were being saved.

18
Are You Praising God?
19
having favor with all the people.
20
Day By Day

• And the Lord was adding to their number day by
  day those who were being saved.

21
(No Transcript)