Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, August 30, 2018
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
I often wonder how hard-core, free-market folks read this text. I mean... it sounds like communism to me!
Sharing things and holding everything in common is meant to be freeing. It must have been for the early communities who followed such rules.
Lately, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has been running a fantastic, well-written series on the demise and changing nature of the modern church. It's been more than enlightening. Churches are struggling, especially those in rural areas.
You gotta wonder though what God is doing. Maybe it's that the assumption that the Church will always be there isn't a particularly healthy one. Maybe God WANTS us to be uncomfortable. Maybe God is working to provide to those who have little through other means.
Something to think about!
Narrative Lectionary Daily Reading:
Acts 4:32-37
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave 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 owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Related & Recent Posts
An
Exceptional
People
Blog Posts
SIGN UP NOW