Having All things in common

Acts 4:32-34 ESV
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold

The early church had a real grasp on ownership in Christ. This new grace to all of those who gladly heard the good news of Jesus our messiah being crucified and risen from the dead; they were freed from the spiritual and mental chains of satisfying their own needs by giving everything they had and never needing again. Obviously they still worked and still had gifts that brought forth wages to the body of the new church but their goal was no longer to merely survive nor acquire monetary wealth which held no value in the kingdom of God. They sought out unity and to bless each other as they themselves had been blessed to have receive physical ability, knowledge or birth right to acquire the wealth they possessed. For them this was true freedom from the chains society and physical needs had put onto them

Acts 5:1-5 ESV
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Another truth those who came into the early church learned quickly was they could not come to steal glory for themselves. That which God had given to you is truly yours to possess until he decides otherwise but you could not use him to fool others into thinking you are better then you really are. While some would point to such scriptures as reasoning for capitalism or against socialism. I would caution that there is no such notion as God both blessed those who had and gave, those who worked by faith and received as Paul said “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Which is not to say we should not be willing to give to those in need but work so that we can do as Jesus said to Peter “do you love me?…Feed my sheep.” John 21:17

When you give, give as you are giving to our father in heaven. If you give to receive riches you receive none because you give amiss. If you give with the knowledge that you have been given; You will receive rewards in heaven and if it pleases God you will receive more so you have more to give. If you give in the knowledge that God will sustain you then you walk in faith. He always knows how much we need, and in what spirit we give. When you give it is good to give to God in church but make no mistake, when you give in church you give in the sight of the church, when you give to an individual secretly as to God he is more glorified and he sees you and those who see you see his work in you and there is no hypocrisy in your giving and all glory is given to God.

Proverbs 30:8-9 ESV
Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.