The Bullard Journal for July 5, 2019

Friday, July 5, 2019: “A Call to Action” An Uncommon Generosity. The sixth of at least seven uncommon characteristics of the very early church was an uncommon generosity.

The 45th verse of our biblical passage about the uncommon very early church (Acts 2:41-47) says, “and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all as anyone might have need.” (NASB) In other words, the very early church had an all-in approach to generosity.

It has been said by some interpreters that the very early church expected Jesus to return soon, so sharing financial resources would be enough until then. I would suggest we ought to look at the gospels to see a pattern that reflects this uncommon generosity.

In Matthew 19:21 Jesus suggests to the one often called the rich young ruler that he sell his possessions and give to the poor. While, again, some interpreters suggest this was a specific prescription for a specific person’s situation, we still need to look further. In Matthew 6:24 as part of the Sermon of the Mount Jesus taught that it is impossible to serve God and to simultaneously serve wealth.

Later Jesus is instructing his disciples as recorded in Luke 12:33 and suggests to them that they sell their possessions and give to the poor. And, we could look deeper into scripture to see other references. The point is that they very early church was following the instruction of Jesus to be generous in an uncommon way.

I call you to an uncommon generosity that begins with the tithe of your gross income and then defines what it means to be generous as your move beyond the tithe to address the needs in God’s world. Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also.

About the author 

Kyndra Bremer