No Other Burden Rev.2:24

Acts 2:42-47

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. NKJV

In our previous study we went over “very quickly” verses 42 and 43. We discussed the important elements of a church that bears a fruitful unity that is necessary for the Holy Spirit to work through. If these things are absent in the body of the church, the unity of the Holy Spirit will be absent in the church. Therefore doctrine, communion, and prayers are the primary tasks of the church. Lord willing, in this study we will communicate God’s intent of Christian giving, not to be confused with the Jewish tithe.

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

If we would isolate this verse from the context of all of Scripture, not knowing what God has already said about giving, we might be tempted to conclude that this alludes to some form of socialism. However, that would be the furthest from the truth. First, the immediate context is not regarding principles for national government, but for the individuals seeking the righteousness of God. Therefore how we interpret the verse should be taken within the body of committed members of Christ.

Now all who believed were together, . . .

As seen here the reference is to all who believed and even a deeper reference to all who “continued” to believe, that is, all those who keep returning to the Lord for fellowship and guidance by the Word. Remember it was Christ, who is the center of the Apostle’s doctrine, which is what brings these believers together. Therefore we continue to come together because of God in Christ (. . . who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Heb 1:3-4 NKJV), not to meet for our felt needs or for personal pleasure. The doctrine of Christ is the unity that holds His people together in spite of any differences we may have.

. . . and had all things in common, . . .

This means they had all things in common in Christ. Christ having reconciled ‘all things’ to Himself, whether rich or poor, slave or free, Jew or Gentile means that there was no separation due to ones standard of status in the community. They did not all have the same history or conversion story. They were not all poor, or were not all rich, or not all of a particular color. They had all things in common regarding Christ.

Col 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. NKJV

Christ is the tie that binds the joy of His people together. He is the motivator of the church. In His mercy and grace we find the joy in giving and serving one another. He is the sustainer of our souls and comfort in our sufferings. If we are wealthy it because in Him we are wealthy (Rev.3:18) and if we are poor it is because He became poor to make us rich (2Cor.8:9; Rev.2:9).

. . . and sold their possessions and goods, . . .

This was a revelation of their love for one another. Those who would have identified with the Name of Jesus Christ most likely lost their jobs or special connections in the Jewish community. This would have generated a tremendous need for these early Christians to care for one another just to continue to name the Name of Jesus Christ. Therefore these believers were bound by love for one another to provide for each other’s needs. Those believers who were able to sell their possessions and goods did so out of love, but we should also remember those who thought this kind of giving could make them spiritually accepted. Later we read about Ananias who did not act out of love, but out of pride to prove that he and his wife belonged among them.

Acts 5:1-6 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. NKJV

This doesn’t say why Ananias kept back some of the money, but the severity of punishment brings in the notion that both, Ananias and his wife, vowed to sell the possession and give all the proceeds to the Apostles. Notice that it was because of a lie that Ananias and his wife lost their life, not for holding back a particular percentage. Peter tells them, while it was in their possession, that it was theirs to give, not the Apostles's to take. The problem was that Ananias promised to give it, and the Apostles probably made promises of their own to use it a particular way, yet, due to Ananias’s lie judgment came upon Ananias’s house and the Apostles were found guiltless.

Ps 50:14-15 Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." NKJV

. . . and divided them among all, . . .

Again, this phrase is not teaching socialism. Socialism is the idea that you take a portion of everyone’s wealth and divide it ‘equally’ among all. The problem is that in Socialism it never ends up equally among all, but that all remain unequally poor and the administrators remain tremendously rich. There is nothing in the context about an equal division of goods. It fact it is clarified in the next phrase: “as anyone had need.” Therefore we know that it was never intended to be equally distributed, but to only to support the Apostles's teaching and for any poor ‘believers’ among them. They did not sell homes and lands so that the Apostles would equally divide the wealth among them in order to “be fair”. No, this was the opposite. People gave because there was serious need within the body of Christ. Also, let me state that Christians still carry a certain responsibility to look out for the needs of all people, not just believers. But believers are the priority. That is why giving is never coerced or forced.

. . . as anyone had need.

The giving of these saints was not in connection to a particular ‘percentage’, like a tithe or tithe(s), as commanded under the Mosaic Covenant. Remember Israel was a national form of government, not a bunch denominational churches who depend on the charity of her participants. In Israel you agreed upon who the one true God is, and His laws, or you were stoned to death (Lev.24:23). This still applies to the church, not according to the letter, but according to the Spirit. We preach that Christ has been judged in our place and those who refuse His blessed grace will have their death in an eternal lake of fire (Rev. 20:14,15). God has not changed with the covenants, but has changed His administration of grace (Eph.3:2). God no longer enforces His laws through the political governments, until His bodily return; but He does administrate His grace through His body, the church, which remains in the world by the Spirit’s power. Therefore the commandment of a particular tithe or tithes is annulled (Isa.28:18; Heb.7:12).

If you have been born again, changed by the Spirit’s power, repented and walking in faith, you will have a desire to support the ministry of the gospel. We are never commanded, as Christians, to share a particular percentage of income for the work of the gospel, but we are to be mindful of each other’s needs. Full time Gospel ministers have the same type of bills we have and therefore need the same kind of financial support you would need. The question you need to ask yourself is – "Is my giving in reflection to loving my neighbor as myself?" If you are a member of the church, you are commanded to provide for your pastor.

1 Cor 9:9-12 For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? NKJV

1 Tim 5:17-19 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and,"The laborer is worthy of his wages." NKJV

A good pastor will not put his need above your need and teach anything contrary to the doctrine of giving by faith. Yes, Christians are commanded to give, but it is always according to the ability that they can give and never under compulsion.

2 Cor 8:12-15 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack — that there may be equality. As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack." NKJV

Those who are ‘extremely’ rich are the only obligatory ones commanded by God to give under the new administration of grace.

1 Tim 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. NKJV

Rev 3:17-20 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. NKJV