The Grace that Leads to Generosity

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:32-37).

There was much external evidence of the presence and power of God in the new community of Christ followers in Jerusalem… “with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all”. There were signs and wonders confirming the testimony of Christ’s resurrection by these young disciples and the community was growing. If we look closer we see that there was also a great work happening in the hearts of the disciples. They had been raised in a culture of ownership where self-worth was measured by how much property or livestock one possessed, but we see here that… “no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common”. This dramatic change of heart was a deep, internal work of God that resulted in meeting the needs of everyone in the community of believers, and it is very clear evidence of the grace that leads to generosity.

God’s grace creates unity in the Christian community. The disciples… “were of one heart and soul”. Faith in Christ in the midst of the opposition that surrounded them had drawn them together physically, spiritually, and emotionally. The Spirit inspired Paul to describe this unity that is mark of fellowship among true disciples in every age… “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). The Holy Spirit freely and powerfully works in such a unified community to reflect the generosity and glory of Christ to others inside and outside of the community.

God’s grace transforms possession to stewardship in the Christian community. The common thought of the day, and in fact in every age, has been accumulation and possession of material things. It’s how we measure self-esteem and success. But these new disciples believed they had everything in common. Their focus was changed from possession to stewardship. They saw the things they owned as created by and belonging to Christ… “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). God’s grace works in the hearts of true disciples to help us learn to be generous with the generosity He shows to us… “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). Being generous with God’s blessings creates opportunities for us meet needs and introduce others to Jesus Christ.

God’s grace meets every need in the Christian community. The obedience and cooperation of the disciples with the grace of God in their hearts led to a community where… “There was not a needy person among them”. Transformed hearts led to transformed lives where… “owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need”. The physical needs of others were being met, but on another level, the spiritual need to become more like Christ was being met in the hearts and souls of the disciples who were experiencing Christ’s promise… “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The Lord works through the generosity of true disciples to meet every need in their lives as they meet the needs of others.

As we grow up into Christ, He blesses us to bless others through…

The Grace that Leads to Generosity.