"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
This sense of unity and selflessness is often a challenge in our society today—a society that places more value on personal achievement and individual success, than working together in unity. I could write on and on about the dangers of those things, but I think for this short period of time while you read this devo, I would rather you ask yourself a hard question, a question I also need to wrestle with myself….. How can we, as followers of Christ, think beyond ourselves and embrace a lifestyle that reflects the early church's attitude of community and generosity?
The early church shared a common purpose and vision. They were united in their love for Christ and their commitment to the mission. Unity means being united in purpose and love, and it requires effort, empathy, and a willingness to understand and support one another. Sometimes this means you give your money to help meet someone’s financial need, sometimes it means you serve in a ministry that needs people to step up and help, sometimes it means you sacrifice your personal time to listen to someone who needs to talk or even pray with them, sometimes it means you make a meal for a family who is welcoming a new baby into their home….this is what it means to live in community with other believers. It is not about you, it is about serving others, and being united together with the shared bond of Christ.
We have to start thinking beyond ourselves, and start prioritizing the mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Now, of course this is not easy, we still have families to take care of, and we do have to take care of ourselves too, but we can’t lose sight of serving, loving, caring, and supporting the people around us—believers and non-believers. How we love people, how we serve people, is being watched by the world around us. We can make a difference! All it takes, is just accepting the mission of thinking beyond yourself, and seeing the needs of others.
As we meditate on this passage, let us pray for a heart that seeks to serve and bless others. Strive to be united in love and purpose! Strive to live generously, sharing the blessings God has given us! Be reminded that when we make this our focus, we reflect the heart of God, and in turn we strengthen the body of Christ. Let us be united in one heart and mind, and show the world how we love.
This sense of unity and selflessness is often a challenge in our society today—a society that places more value on personal achievement and individual success, than working together in unity. I could write on and on about the dangers of those things, but I think for this short period of time while you read this devo, I would rather you ask yourself a hard question, a question I also need to wrestle with myself….. How can we, as followers of Christ, think beyond ourselves and embrace a lifestyle that reflects the early church's attitude of community and generosity?
The early church shared a common purpose and vision. They were united in their love for Christ and their commitment to the mission. Unity means being united in purpose and love, and it requires effort, empathy, and a willingness to understand and support one another. Sometimes this means you give your money to help meet someone’s financial need, sometimes it means you serve in a ministry that needs people to step up and help, sometimes it means you sacrifice your personal time to listen to someone who needs to talk or even pray with them, sometimes it means you make a meal for a family who is welcoming a new baby into their home….this is what it means to live in community with other believers. It is not about you, it is about serving others, and being united together with the shared bond of Christ.
We have to start thinking beyond ourselves, and start prioritizing the mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Now, of course this is not easy, we still have families to take care of, and we do have to take care of ourselves too, but we can’t lose sight of serving, loving, caring, and supporting the people around us—believers and non-believers. How we love people, how we serve people, is being watched by the world around us. We can make a difference! All it takes, is just accepting the mission of thinking beyond yourself, and seeing the needs of others.
As we meditate on this passage, let us pray for a heart that seeks to serve and bless others. Strive to be united in love and purpose! Strive to live generously, sharing the blessings God has given us! Be reminded that when we make this our focus, we reflect the heart of God, and in turn we strengthen the body of Christ. Let us be united in one heart and mind, and show the world how we love.