CHAPTER 11 YOURS, MINE & OURS
This study was written before "How Do I Love Thee?" had even been sent to the printer. I mention that fact only to point out that what fellows is not based upon comments received as a result of those portions of "How Do I Love Thee?" which deal with our irrefutable duty, obligation, and privilege of helping, caring for, and ministering to those of our brothers, neighbors, and even "enemies" who are in need. Rather, this study was birthed as the result of prayer over the possibility that there may be some who would misconstrue that portion of Acts 4:32 which reads as follows:"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had..." as a Scriptural directive, or at the very least a Scriptural blessing on 'communes.'
As we saw in the previous chapter, if we do agape others, as the Word directs, then we can be assured of God's love being made complete in us (I John 4:12), and this will create within us the desire to provide for those in need (Lk.6:30&35; Ro.12:13 & Prov.3:27-28). The question now before us is this, "In light of Acts 4:32, are we to give up all private property and pool our resources in order to meet these needs?" As a corollary to this we need to ask ourselves "Is it wrong for me, as a Christian, to own anything which is more plush than is absolutely essential for my own existence?" A good place to begin this discussion is by taking a look at what the Bible says about `private property' in both the Old and New Testaments.
We know that Abraham was a man of some means. We are told in Gen 2:15 that he set off for Canaan with "all the possessions they had accumulated." These individually owned holdings were then increased further by that which he acquired in Egypt (Gen.12:16 & 13:1). There is no indication that any of these items were owned in common with anyone else. Quite the contrary is shown to be the case in Gen.13:5 wherein we see that Lot's possessions were spoken of separately from Abraham's.
The Bible then takes great pains to point out that at his death, Abraham made sure that his accumulated possessions went to his son Isaac, and not to the sons he had by his concubines (Gen. 25:5). While it is true that he provided for these other sons with `gifts', it is important to note that he specifically sent them away from Isaac, thereby preventing any form of communal living (Gen.25:5).
Isaac himself is shown to have increased his wealth over and above that which he derived from Abraham (Gen.26:13-14). When he in turn gave his blessings to his son Jacob, it included the request that God would give him the riches of the earth and an abundance of grain and new wine (Gen.27:28). This surely happened, for we see that when Jacob left his father's house he only had his staff, but when he returned from the land of his mother's family he had great wealth (Gen.32: 10). And as we are clearly shown, this wealth was given to him by God (Gen.31:9).
The concept of God providing to the descendants of Abraham through private property was the norm, not the exception. Look at what Moses told the Israelites God was going to give them when they entered the promised land, "... (A) land with large flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant..." (Deut.6:10-11). And, as can be seen from Joshua 22:8, these spoils were not owned communally, but were first divided between the tribes and then individually owned. According to Ro.9:8 we are now the children of Abraham, and it is still God's desire to provide for us individually.
Abraham's natural descendants were blessed by God, and Prov.10:22 tells us that the blessings of the Lord bring wealth, and there is no indication that this is speaking in a communal sense. Indeed, Ps.112:3 says that wealth and riches are in the house of the man who fears the Lord (see also Prov.15:6). God tells us that He is the source of wealth (Deut.8:18 & Ps.50:10), but this wealth, which many of the wicked of the world so furiously seek after, is for the righteous (Prov.13:21 & Eccl.2:26). And in the vast majority of cases, God has given it to individuals such as Job to hold in private ownership (Job 42:12).
In the New Testament we have numerous examples of private ownership of property, none of which were condemned by Jesus. According to Mk.1:16&20 and Lk.5:3-10, Peter, Andrew, James and John were partners in the fishing business. As would be true in any business, they owned their own equipment and hired help when needed. While it is true that they left that business to follow Jesus, there is no indication that Jesus told their father Zebedee to get rid of the family business or set up a co-op (Mk.1:20). In fact, we know from John 21:3 that the boats were still around because Peter again went fishing after Jesus' resurrection.
Peter also had a house, and no where is it recorded that Jesus told him to sell it and add those proceeds to the ministry treasury (Matt.8:14). More importantly though, we see that while on the cross Jesus directed John, not the fellowship of believers, but John, to care for His mother. John did so by taking "her into his home" (emphasis added, John 19:27). Furthermore, we clearly see from Lk.8:31 that some of the financial support Jesus received during His public ministry came from the private resources of the women who followed Him (see also Matt.27:55 & Mk.15:41). At no time did He tell them to sell their property and put the proceeds into the ministry treasury (John 12:6).
It is interesting to note that Lydia is shown to be both a business woman (Acts 16:14) and a homeowner (vs.15), and yet she is clearly referred to as a believer. She even challenged Paul with these words, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord ... come and stay at my house." (Acts 16:15). Paul then indicates that that is exactly what he did. The point is, she was a Philippians believer, and it is obvious that the Philippians were not following the example of the believers in Jerusalem.
Note also that even though Acts 2:44-45 said ALL the believers put ALL their property in a communal pot to be divided up as needed, there were exceptions. We see in Acts 12:12-13 that after the angel delivered Peter from prison he went to Mary's house and was greeted by a servant girl. Mary kept back enough to own a house and hire a servant girl. Do not become confused by the use of the word `All' in that verse. In this instance it is referring to a particular portion of the believers in Jerusalem, namely, all those who sold their property. While that number may indeed have been substantial, at no time did every single believer in Jerusalem sell all their property and put it in a communal pot. Note also that Paul never told the homeowners of Acts 17:5, Ro.16:5, I Cor.16:19 & Col.4:15 to go sell their homes and give everything to the poor and go communal. Even Phillip, one of the original seven deacons in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5), is later shown as having his own home in Caesarea (Acts 21:8). For that matter, we see from Acts 28:30 that Paul stayed in his own rented house for a period of two years in Rome rather than share a room or rooms with other believers.
Consider this, the command to be hospitable found in I Pe.4:9 & Ro.12:13, and the gift of helps mentioned in I Cor.12:28 are not needed if all property is held in common. Furthermore, that type of communal living eliminates the need for any individual stewardship such as that shown in the parable of the talents as seen in Matt.25:14-30. Along a similar vein we should remember that the duty and privilege to give back unto the Lord is from the first fruits of your own land and labor (Deut.26:2; II Chron.31:5 & I Cor.16:1-2), not from the proceeds of a communal pot. I realize that the goal to which we should be striving is that of equality (II Cor.8:14); however, that equality will never come from a communal structure. Paul says it comes about when those who walk in agape love, give out of their abundance to supply those who are in need. Giving must be an individual commitment. According to II Cor.9:7 "EACH man should give what HE decided in HIS heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (emphasis added)
Private property and equality are not at odds with each other. We have seen in both the Old and New Testaments that God sanctions private ownership of assets. Since He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb.13:8), then there should also be some Scriptural indication that private ownership is His future desire if indeed it is. Turn to Micah 4:3-4 wherein we read in part:
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under HIS OWN vine, and under HIS OWN fig tree, and no will make them afraid for the Lord Almighty has spoken. (emphasis added)
Under the Old Covenant the poor were taken care of by such means as allowing them to glean the fields (Lev.23:22 & 19:9), from tithes (Deut.14:29) and by direct assistance (Lev.25:35). Some might be tempted to say that Jesus' admonition to the rich young man to "... go sell everything you have and give to the poor ..." (Mk.10:21) combined with the believer's actions as recorded in Acts 2:44 and 4:32 shows God's direction to us under the New Covenant. However, such a view clearly ignores several important points.
Acts 4:32 shows us that the believers did not claim their property as their own, but rather that they shared what they had. Yet, we see that the sales which took place were completed at different times by the actual owner of the property which was being sold (Acts 4:34, 36 & 5:1). The property was not sold by some communal group. The believers did not all rush out and change title to their land from their own names to the "Simon Peter Jerusalem Co-op." Unlike what we think of as a commune, the title to the believer's property remained in the individual believer's name; yet, in their minds they considered it as though it belonged to all. From time to time, as the need arose, some were led to actually sell lands and houses and then take the money to the apostles. The property was communal only in the sense that each believer considered his property available for his brother's use. The poor brother has no claim upon the property of his neighbor. God is our source, not our brothers, and certainly not some communal organization.
Another point that is overlooked is that nowhere in Scripture do we see that Jesus commanded His rich disciple, Joseph of Arimathea (Matt.27:57) to sell his property. If you will turn to Lk.19:1-10 you will notice something else interesting along the same lines. In verse 2 we see that Zacchaeus was a wealthy man and in verse 8 we see that he was led to give one half of all his possessions to the poor - not all, but half. Now look at Jesus' reaction to this in verse 9, "Today salvation has come to this house..." Jesus didn't say, "That's not enough Zacchaeus, you must sell it all." He was pleased with Zacchaeus' actions as they were. Likewise, Paul does not direct the rich to give all they have. His direction to them is that they should be willing to share (I Tim.6:18). It is true that the rich are cautioned not to put their hope in wealth; however, the same caution applies to the poor. You do not have to be rich to fall into the trap of loving (philo) money (I Tim.6:10).
oth the rich and the poor must put their trust in God, not riches (I Tim.4:10; Heb.2:13 & II Cor.1:9-10). By the time we get to Acts 6:1 we see that the one minded attitude of Acts 4:32 had vanished, for discord had already set in. As of Acts 11:29 we see that the believers in Judea were then in need. It is important to see that the total sharing of possessions, as some say was practiced by the believers in Jerusalem, DID NOT END UP SUPPLYING THEIR NEEDS or protecting them from persecution (Acts 8:1). In fact, it might be argued that such insular, total sharing and interdependence, as a true commune precipitates, would actually hinder the spreading of the Word.
In Matt.28:19 Jesus directed his followers to "... go make disciples of all nations." While it is true that this was to begin in Jerusalem (Lk.24:47), there is no indication that any efforts were made by any believers, including the apostles, to spread the Word beyond Jerusalem. It was not until the believers were forced to move by means of persecution that the commission of Matt.28:19 was carried out (Acts 8:4). How often have you seen groups of Christians at a meeting where they stay with their friends and do not venture to talk to others?
Neither private property nor communal living are the problem. Many people attack the United States because of its wealth. I would agree that many of our brothers and sisters in this country are entirely to materialistic. All to often the "American Dream" of a house and two cars has replaced the motto on the very money we use to pay for these things; namely, 'IN GOD WE TRUST.' However, we must not forget that wealth does not have its source in greed. I am sure that there are greedy people in India and other poor countries, yet this greed has not caused them to become the wealthiest nation on earth. Greed does not create wealth, it only hordes it. This country has been blessed by God because for two centuries it has welcomed the poor and given unto them. God has merely honored his Word (Ps.112:5; Lk.6:38 & II Cor.9:6).
This country is blessed because it has blessed Israel, and again God has honored His Word (Gen.12:3; Gen.27:29; Nu.24:9 & Esther 10:3). Rather than attack the materialism that does exist in this country we should pray that God would reign supreme in the hearts of its citizens, and they would again "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" (Matt.6: 33).
Now comes the very practical and yet most difficult question of all to answer. "How much do I give?" As we have seen, God does not forbid private property, and in fact sanctions it (Micah 4:4). Yet we also know that our duty to agape our brother carries with it the admonition to provide for those in need (Prov.3:27-28 & Ja. 2:15-16). In attempting to deal with that question we should remember that even though Jesus told the rich young man to give it all away, He was pleased with Zacchaeus' decision to give only half. Remember also, as we have seen in other studies, he who gives it all away will receive back 100 times as much in this age (Mk.10:30).
Let me now attempt to answer the question of how much to give in this way. Could YOU be happy driving a Rolls Royce knowing that there are brothers in your fellowship who are in need? Would you not be more content driving a nice full size car and giving the difference between the price of the Rolls Royce and your full size car to the work of the Lord? This same question can be asked about your house, your clothes, and the food you eat. The Lord wants us to have abundance, but this abundance has as its purpose giving unto others so that God will receive the praise and glory (II Cor.9:11). We know that Solomon had great wealth (II Chron 1:12), but notice also that those around him were not in need, for we are shown that during this time, "the King made gold and silver as common in Jerusalem as stones." (II Chron,1:15) and each man "lived in safety under His own vine and fig tree." (I Ki.4:25).
Your decision as to how much to give, to whom, and under what circumstances must be guided by what the Spirit of God tells you, both through the direct leading of the Spirit, and His Word. Unlike the rich young man God may not tell you to give up all that you have; however, you must be WILLING to do so. Only you and God know whether or not you are at that point. And only you and He know whether or not you trust Him enough to care for you should you sacrificially give that extra amount unto a brother in need.
Many times failure to give is based upon a fear that if you give YOU will be the one who ends up in need. Perfect love (agape), which by definition requires giving (I John 3:18), casts out all fear (I John 4:18). Therefore, the way to get rid of the fear of giving is to give in faith believing and remembering the words of Mal.3:10 "Test Me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." It is true that we do not give to get (I Tim.6:5), and it is also true that some extended period of time may pass between the time of our giving, and the time of God's returning it unto us (Eccl.11:1). However, He will not delay in keeping His promise (II Pe.3:9) if we will be faithful to His commands and love one another (John 15:17).
In closing, let me ask you these two questions. Do you spend more time with your "things" then with your family? Do the things which you own require more of your time to maintain and care for then you spend caring for and maintaining your walk with the Lord? If they do, perhaps they are not the blessings you thought they were. As was true with the prodigal son in Lk.15:4-31 they may have become a snare (I Tim.6:9). However, unlike the prodigal son, you need not allow them to drag you into the pig pen before you request your Father in Heaven to make you a true servant (Lk.15:15&19 and Mk.9:35). Ask Him what you should do - then be willing to do it.