All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
-Acts 4
The more I think about the culture of first century Christians and the culture of my day the more I realize how far we've strayed.
The first Christians had a very communistic and socialistic life style. They were the hippies of their day. Everyone looked at them and thought they were so bizarre and radical. Today I can't even tell who in America is a Christian and who isn't.
In my culture it is a crime to be a communist. But I believe You Jesus and Your disciples were all communists. Maybe it is that sort of love that got You hung on a cross.
My culture has an 'individuality mentality'. The idea that everyone should have their own everything. Their own car, their own house, their own money, their own family, their own friends, their own land, their own happiness. Abba it is so easy to get caught up in all of the individuality. Although America seems like a free country the more I pursue You the more I see the bondage. Satan has disguised selfishness and addictions to idols as human rights and freedoms.
To be truly set free by Your love I must be united in heart and mind with all believers. I must feel that what I own is not my own. I can't imagine a world where Christians share all of their stuff to the point where there are no needy people among them. That is a radical love that can only come from You Holy Spirit.
what is Jesus' goal? You told everyone to quit their jobs not find one. As I spend more and more time with the homeless I begin to wonder what the goal is, what the solution is. I don't believe employment is the goal, I don't believe money is the solution. In fact I believe money is the problem it can't be the solution. You are the goal, You are the solution. It isn't about helping people get jobs and money its the opposite of that. It's about giving up our jobs and money and 'testifying powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.'
We can't serve both God and money. The battle in America isn't against Satan, it's against Mammon.
Generous people are rarely mentally ill.
-Dr. Karl Menninger US psychiatrist (1893 - 1990)
Abba please help me fight the battle against Mammon. Help me push through the crippling fear and be freed from the slavery of wealth and worry about money. Help me to give and share everything You've given and share with me. Help me to love and spread love not wealth and money.
Echo of Love - An Epic, No Less
-Acts 4
The more I think about the culture of first century Christians and the culture of my day the more I realize how far we've strayed.
The first Christians had a very communistic and socialistic life style. They were the hippies of their day. Everyone looked at them and thought they were so bizarre and radical. Today I can't even tell who in America is a Christian and who isn't.
In my culture it is a crime to be a communist. But I believe You Jesus and Your disciples were all communists. Maybe it is that sort of love that got You hung on a cross.
My culture has an 'individuality mentality'. The idea that everyone should have their own everything. Their own car, their own house, their own money, their own family, their own friends, their own land, their own happiness. Abba it is so easy to get caught up in all of the individuality. Although America seems like a free country the more I pursue You the more I see the bondage. Satan has disguised selfishness and addictions to idols as human rights and freedoms.
To be truly set free by Your love I must be united in heart and mind with all believers. I must feel that what I own is not my own. I can't imagine a world where Christians share all of their stuff to the point where there are no needy people among them. That is a radical love that can only come from You Holy Spirit.
what is Jesus' goal? You told everyone to quit their jobs not find one. As I spend more and more time with the homeless I begin to wonder what the goal is, what the solution is. I don't believe employment is the goal, I don't believe money is the solution. In fact I believe money is the problem it can't be the solution. You are the goal, You are the solution. It isn't about helping people get jobs and money its the opposite of that. It's about giving up our jobs and money and 'testifying powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.'
We can't serve both God and money. The battle in America isn't against Satan, it's against Mammon.
Generous people are rarely mentally ill.
-Dr. Karl Menninger US psychiatrist (1893 - 1990)
Abba please help me fight the battle against Mammon. Help me push through the crippling fear and be freed from the slavery of wealth and worry about money. Help me to give and share everything You've given and share with me. Help me to love and spread love not wealth and money.
Echo of Love - An Epic, No Less