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Fraternal Love Expressed, November 22
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one
soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he
possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Acts 4:32
.
The record declares, “Neither was there any among them that lacked,” and
it tells how the need was filled. Those among the believers who had money
and possessions cheerfully sacrificed them to meet the emergency. Selling
their houses or their lands, they brought the money and laid it at the apostles’
feet, “and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need”
(
Acts 4:34, 35
).
This liberality on the part of the believers was the result of the outpouring
of the Spirit. The converts to the gospel were “of one heart and of one soul.”
One common interest controlled them—the success of the mission entrusted
to them; and covetousness had no place in their lives. Their love for their
brethren and the cause they had espoused was greater than their love of money
and possessions. Their works testified that they accounted the souls of men
of higher value than earthly wealth.
Thus it will ever be when the Spirit of God takes possession of the life.
Those whose hearts are filled with the love of Christ will follow the example
of Him who for our sake became poor, that through His poverty we might
be made rich. Money, time, influence—all the gifts they have received from
God’s hand, they will value only as a means of advancing the work of the
gospel. Thus it was in the early church; and when in the church of today it is
seen that by the power of the Spirit the members have taken their affections
from the things of the world, and that they are willing to make sacrifices in
order that their fellow men may hear the gospel, the truths proclaimed will
have a powerful influence upon the hearers.—
The Acts of the Apostles, 70,
71
.
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