Living in the Image of God M06S02
A prominent practice of the early church did not survive the disintegration and rebirth of the church. The early church vested itself with the authority to distribute resources to the points of need; a practice that led to the demise of the church and did not survive the rebirth of the church through evangelism following the martyrdom of Stephen. The fact that the practice did not survive provides a basis for understanding God’s purpose that the authority to distribute resources belongs to the owner. Every gift of God to an individual comes with full authority to determine when, where, and how to use “what the Lord has given us.” Whatever is in your possession—physical and mental resources—has been given to you by God, with a mandate and purpose to address the needs around you: needs of self and needs of others; and full authority to choose the needs to address; when, where, and how.
This study discusses a prominent practice of the early church that did not survive the disintegration and rebirth of the church. The early church in Jerusalem practiced communal control of the distribution of resources to points of need: “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]. And the church leadership handled the sharing and demanded total surrender of the proceeds of individual ownership. Ananias and wife Sapphira received the ultimate punishment for disobeying.
However, the resource distribution function led to problems that the church leadership tried to solve by handing over the function to a new arm of leadership; the deacons, led by Stephen: “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food” [Acts 6:1]. The church leadership responded by getting the church to appoint the deacons. Subsequently, any dissatisfaction with the distribution function fell squarely on the shoulders of Stephen and created opening for the enemies of the church. The martyrdom of Stephen and subsequent persecution of the Christians led to disintegration of the church. The Christians scattered far and wide and continued with evangelism wherever they were. Their evangelism led to rebirth of the church in several places. The church thrived, but the practice of exclusive resource distribution authority by the church did not survive.
The fact that the practice did not survive constitutes a basis for understanding that the authority to distribute resources belongs to the owner. Therefore, we learn that every gift of God to an individual comes with full authority to determine when, where, and how to use the resources. The understanding is an important step in learning and sharing God’s purpose for “what the Lord has given us.” We will understand that whatever is in your possession—physical and mental resources—has been given to you by God, with a mandate and purpose to address the needs around you: needs of self and needs of others; and full authority to choose the needs to address; when, where, and how.
Ownership & Use of Resources…Early Church in Jerusalem
The early church in Jerusalem practiced communal control of the distribution of resources to points of need: “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 church leadership handled the sharing [Acts 4:34–35]: “…that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
The believers were one in heart and mind. They recognized individual possessions as communal property. The collection was by voluntary contribution as individual owners determined when to sell their possession. However, the church leadership demanded total surrender of the proceeds of each sale. The church had full authority for the distribution of resources. Therefore, whoever sold property must surrender full proceeds to the church.
Ananias and Sapphira disobeyed by holding back part of the proceeds of selling their property. [Acts 5:1–3]: “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”
Peter scolded Ananias that he (Ananias) had full ownership of the property and full ownership of the proceeds. However, participation in the church program required transfer of full authority to the church regarding distribution of the proceeds. Ananias and wife Sapphira received the ultimate punishment.
Disintegration of the Early Church
A dispute regarding the distribution system led to the appointment of Stephen and six others as deacons to run the distribution. The appointment of the deacons freed the apostles to focus on the ministry of the word of God [Acts 6:1–4]: “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’”
The division of responsibilities worked for a while but eventually led to the death of Stephen, widespread persecution of the Christians, and disintegration of the early church.
Distribution of Resources after Rebirth of the Church
A new approach to resource distribution evolved after rebirth of the church. Individuals regained control of the resources they own and discretion over using the resources to address the needs they recognize. The principle regarding a communal purpose for “what the Lord has given us” remains unchanged.
Ownership & Use of Resources
In the early church, the church leadership was vested with control and authority to collect resources and distribute to the points of need: to fulfill God’s purpose for the ownership of resources. After the disintegration of the early church and rebirth of the church, individuals regained control of the resources they own. Individuals regained discretion regarding the use of resources to address the needs of self and others to fulfill God’s purpose for the ownership of resources. The communal purpose of “what the Lord has given us” did not change. Only the authority to administer the resources changed.
Summary of What We Learned
A prominent practice of the early church did not survive the disintegration and rebirth of the church. The early church vested itself with the authority to distribute resources to the points of need; a practice that led to the demise of the church and did not survive the rebirth of the church through evangelism following the martyrdom of Stephen.
The fact that the practice did not survive provides a basis for understanding God’s purpose that the authority to distribute resources belongs to the owner. Every gift of God to an individual comes with full authority to determine when, where, and how to use “what the Lord has given us.” Whatever is in your possession—physical and mental resources—has been given to you by God, with a mandate and purpose to address the needs around you: needs of self and needs of others; and full authority to choose the needs to address; when, where, and how.