Every church that follows Jesus Christ as their Lord and
Savior is supposed to model herself after the first church from the Bible book
of Acts, where the believers “Shared everything they had. They sold
their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” Acts
2:44-45 NLT
“They felt that what they owned was not
their own, so they shared everything they had. There were no
needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them
and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.” Acts 4:32, 34-35
NLT
It is no wonder that the apostle Paul
taught the Corinthian Church this same example of giving and sharing, when he
told them the following:
“Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever
you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you
have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make
life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be
some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who
are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need
it. In this way, things will be equal.” 2. Corinthians 9:11-14 NLT
The rich were specifically being taught
not to be proud and not to trust in their money. Their trust should be in God
and they should use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works
and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others! (See 1.
Timothy 6:17-18)
