Acts 4:32-34

Sharing doesn’t come naturally to us. Just look at toddlers. I think of my 3-year-old granddaughter and how she will grab things, sometimes out of my hands, and declare that the item is “my special _______ “(you can fill in the blank with anything here!). At present, it seems like most things are her “special things” and I must coax her to be more generous, to pare down the pile of off-limit toys, to risk opening her hands instead of closing them tightly around the neck of a stuffed Elmo. 

The world teaches us to consolidate and hoard our “special things” and even as adults we cling firmly to our money, our possessions, and our time. We feel that it might make us stronger, safer, and less anxious by padding our lives with stuff. It becomes a fortress of sorts. Cultivating a spirit of generosity, sharing what we have with others, takes work. Sometimes, like my granddaughter, we need a little coaxing to view what we have in a different light. This can only happen through God’s grace. 

‘And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them’ ‘(Acts 4:33-34).

The early Christians were inspiring in their whole-hearted giving. They offer us a powerful example of how we, as Christians, are to serve others. ‘All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had’’ (Acts 4: 32).  The more affluent believers periodically sold their land or houses and deposited the money with the apostles. The apostles, in turn, used the money to bless those who were lacking things like food and shelter. This support was no doubt critical in shoring up the resilience of the believers in need and, therefore, the resilience of the new Christian movement.

Sharing our worldly goods, our time, our attention (our “special things”) blesses the giver as well. There is what I call a lightness and expansiveness of spirit that occurs. Witnessing my granddaughter when she does share her things or comforts a friend is a beautiful sight. Her face softens, her smile widens and she is calm. We all become our best selves in those moments. God knows this. We, as Christians, as servants, know this. Giving fosters resilience in us as it widens our gaze to include the bigger picture. 

As the poet, John Roedel, states:

On the days when it feels like I have no power

I serve others

You see, whenever I wash the world’s feet

my hands immediately stop shaking

One of the tools of fostering resilience in our Christian walk is sharing with others. All of us have areas where we could be more generous, and God can help point us in the right direction. What steps are you willing to take to incorporate more giving in your life?