Having All Things In Common

Richard Thetford

In Acts 2:44 we read "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.” There is nothing like Christians getting together to share their thoughts, hopes, and love with each other! I remember when I was a child it seemed to me that Christians got together much more than they do today. Christians need the love and fellowship with each other as often as we can do so. The ones that gathered on the day of Pentecost to hear Peter's sermon were truly "pricked in their heart" (Acts 2:37), and wanted to do anything they could for the cause of Christ and for each other. They realized that nothing was as important as Jesus Christ and obeying His commandments. Do we feel that way today?

When we become so convicted to Christ and his love that we would be willing to sell our property and possessions, and share them with all that had a need (Acts 2:45), then I would say that yes, we have reached the point of true Christianity. This is the attitude that we should have developed within us. Not that we actually have to go out and sell everything to give to others, but the attitude that if I needed to do so, then I would. Those early Christians were truly devoted to Jesus and wanted to do all they could for Him. When we spend more time with each other and desire to be with other Christians to gain strength and encouragement then we will develop into the kind of Christians that God would want us to be. We will be of one mind, sincere, praising God, and having favor with all people (Acts 2:46-47).