Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, April 24, 2020
by R. Fergus Moir, Clergy Stuff
Yep. That’s right. The first Christians were communists. I find it astonishing, honestly, how many wealthy, vocal Christians conveniently forget this, how much support there is for the so-called “prosperity gospel,” in which God wants you to be wealthy.
I also find it astonishing how resistant I am to the idea. Though perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, having been so thoroughly indoctrinated by the capitalist culture in which I was raised and still live. Is it even possible for us at this point to return to such a simplicity of communal structure in our global economy?
I think I ought not be so stuck in all-or-nothing thinking on this one. Regardless of what is, we are called to strive for what could be. So even if we never get back to living in small, communal groups sharing all things in common, there are plenty of things that can be done, with God’s help, to make the world more equitable, more interdependent and mutually supportive.
Gracious God, show me how to simplify my life and reach out in love to my community. Amen.
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