All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them.
Hamilton Wright Mabie was an American essayist. Of his many quotes, one reminds me of serving others: “The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had the means, time, influence and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has.”
I think it’s safe to assume many of us think we do not have enough time or resources to help those in need. There is no doubt, serving God includes an element of sacrifice.
The early church was a group of believers who were full of excitement in their faith. So much so, they sold their assets to help those who were in need. Now that’s a sacrifice, and they did it joyfully!
I am not saying we should sell everything we own and give away the proceeds, but consider the devotion these believers had to Jesus. The Messiah had come and saved them from their sins. They were overjoyed at the new hope they had. No possession was worth so much that they wouldn’t give it to those in need.
We are no different than the early church. Our sins have been forgiven, our slates wiped clean. We are new in Him! We should be just as overjoyed as those early believers were at this new life we have been given. There should be no sacrifice too big to share this love with others.
The cool thing is we can serve others regardless of our current situation. When we put aside the reasons why we can’t, we find indeed… we can.
Whatever giving looks like in our lives, let’s be willing to serve with what we have. When we do, we will find what we have was just enough.
