Our church holds a weekly prayer meeting on Thursdays. Usually, this is done over Zoom, but sometimes we are able to hold it in person in a park near our church. This is what we did last week.
As we were preparing to start, one of our friends showed up barely able to talk because of her sore throat. At one point during the devotional, she went into a long fit of coughing. At this point, another lady there took a thermos of coffee that she’d brought for herself out of her bag. She screwed off the cup on top, filled it, and gave it to the lady with the sore throat.
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The kindness of the woman with the coffee really struck me. She did such a simple thing, but it helped her sister in Christ. It reminds me of Acts 2:44-47:
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
The believers shared everything they had! They gave to each other gladly and generously! Isn’t that amazing to consider? And yet, the passage is written in a way that isn’t meant to astonish us. We aren’t supposed to think, “Wow, they were super-Christians!” Their actions aren’t supposed to be surprising – they’re supposed to be normal! All Christians should share with each other because of their love for each other, a love that reflects Jesus’ love for us in dying and rising from the dead for us.
Of course, we must share with wisdom. We should assess the needs we see to tell if they are legitimate or not, for starters. We should also responsibly manage how much we give so that we do not lose what is needed for ourselves; how are we supposed to keep giving when we don’t even have enough for ourselves? There is a point where we must be able to say, “Lord, I’ve given according to my ability. Please provide what is lacking to fulfill this need.”
Notice the last part of the passage: “[P]raising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Sharing among ourselves shows the world that we Christians, the church, are different. We should aim to give selflessly with the purpose of supplying needs, yes, but also to show others that God has changed us. His work in us has made us more loving, giving, and sacrificing. This example of love can lead people to salvation!
Pray today that God would give you opportunities to give to the church – whether that be money, other items, or your time. Thank Him for His generosity toward you and praise Him for His ability to supply every need. And remember, your resources are really God’s; giving to the church is a way to give back to Him. Let us aim to give gladly, generously, and gratefully!
PHOTO CREDIT: christianity.com