Have you ever realized how many sayings we have today that originated with a truth from the Bible?

Acts 2:42-47 states: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

What we understand from this passage is that the new followers of Jesus were bonding in a new manner. They were applying what Jesus taught them, and the impact in people’s lives was profound for God’s kingdom. 

Instead of greed and covetousness [Though there was some of that – see the account of Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5:1-11.], the people were sharing the resources that God provided for the benefit of God’s people.

Perhaps the saying: “What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine.” originated with these events? Shakespeare, in Measure for Measure, Act 5, Scene 1 used this phrase. He may have been the first to state it this way, but I still believe that its basis is from God’s Word.

It certainly makes sense that God’s people should live with the mindset that we should regularly utilize the resources God has provided for us for His people, and not think that He has provided them solely for our own purposes.

What do you think the Christian community would be like if we lived according to the principles described in the above Acts passage? How willing are you to live this way?

The last verse of that passage indicates that God added new believers to His kingdom each day. It appears that this is directly connected with what might be referred to as “body life”, Christ’s body, living in such a way that others would want to be one of God’s people. 

When we live selflessly, as these followers of Jesus did, people take notice.

When people take notice, we have opportunities to experience God at work, and to join Him in whatever work He is doing to build His kingdom. The book of Acts, in the New Testament of the Bible, provides us with many true accounts of God at work in bringing people to Himself. 

What part is God opening for you to join Him in His work spreading the Gospel, and facilitating the discipleship of God’s people? What might God be asking you to do with the resources He has provided for you, so that your generosity is a testimony to His power and glory?

Please remember, every follower of Jesus is called by Him for His purposes: 

Matthew 28:20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Whether it is sharing our resources, or sharing the Gospel, or discipling Christ’s followers, it is all accomplished by the power of Christ in us – His Holy Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit makes the difference between our failures and/or our successes for His kingdom.

Everything God asks us to do, even living by the saying: “What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine.” can only be successfully accomplished when we have an abiding and growing relationship with Jesus.

Please contact me at:  ButGodCares@gmail.com to talk about living for Jesus in this selfless manner. 

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

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Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.