In the book of Acts and all through the scriptures we read about the elders of the faith coming together on one accord. Many of us, when we pray, we make the statement that we agree and are on one accord as we petition the Lord with our prayer request. Many of us do not have the slightest idea of the scriptural meaning of the statement" on one accord". Well to know what it means all one has to do is read Acts 4:31-37, " And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.32 And the congregation of those who believed were of of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them." I wonder how this would go over in todays churches? In 36 we read that Joseph the Levite, who was also called Barnabas sold a track of land and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet. This was the ultimate act of looking out for one's Christian brother and sister. It was the bringing together all of their resources that was used to take care of the poor,widows and orphans. The Deacons were the first "social workers, and the church the first "Welfare Agency".. This was the core of what would become the teaching of New Testament Giving. In Acts 5 we read what happens to Ananias and Sapphira as an example of spiritual hypocrisy and it's possible result.
In times such as these Christians need to be sensitive to the needs of their sisters and brothers. We have to begin to see things with our spiritual eyes, which are the windows to compassion and empathy. All that we need to know is in the scriptures, so I would like to share with you the scriptural concept of New Testament Giving.
In I Corinthian 6:1-2 Paul tells the churches, "I direct the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each of you to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so no collections be made when I come.( How did Paul feel about collections as part of preaching services?) I Corinthians 9:13-14 tells us that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel. this means that the Pastor and Teacher should be compensated for their service to the Lord.
In 2 Corinthians 8:3 Paul is pleased with the Church of Macedonia, "For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but first gave themselves to the Lord and used by the will of God." Paul was observing how God's people give when they are taught well, an are invested and God's work. He did not see a need to get up in front of the congregation and ask for money. Paul only asked people to give according to their ability, he had trust in their spiritual decision to give as God blessed them and directed them. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 Now I say,"he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sow bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Do you believe that the words that Paul speaks are inspired by the Holy Spirit and therefore for our edification and direction? He here says that we are to give as our hearts tells us to, and not under duress, guilt, shame, but with a joyful heart. He reminds us that we can't out give God.
For the ancients (apostles, disciples) the church had two main functions. First it was to preach the New Testament Gospel to all who would listen; Second it was to take care of the poor, the widows and the orphans among them. " As the savior of the world was born in a stable, and ascended to heaven from the mountains, so his apostles and their successors down to the third century, preached in the streets, the markets, on the mountains, in ships, sepulchres, caves, the riverbeds,and deserts, and in the homes of their converts.(Shaff 1858) The early church was not obsessed with churches built by human hands, and thus were not burden with huge mortgages and overhead.
Matthew 5:42 Jesus tells us ,"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn no thou away."Luke 3:11 He answered and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that meat, let him do like-wise." In Luke 14:12-14 Jesus says, "When thou makest a dinner, or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, not thy rich neighbours, least they also bid thee again and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest
a feast call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind." Wow! How many of us have ever done this? Jesus said you would be blessed if you did this. I John 3:17 tells us that "Whoso hath the world's good, and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
In Mark 7:8-10 Jesus is upset because Scribes and Elders were more interested in the tradition of men rather than His commandments. The Scribes and Elders felt that their financial commitments to the Temple freed them from any obligations to their parents. I Timothy 7:10 Jesus said For Moses said, honor they father and they mother: and, whoso curseth father or mother let him die the death. Jesus is saying that it's ok, it's even commanded that you take care of your needy mother and father before the church. Mark 7:11-14," If a man say to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban( that is to say given to God), you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down, and you have handed down many things such as that." Many things taught in our church today is just what Jesus said, a bunch of man made traditions that benefit the leaders and burden the believers. How many times have any of these scriptures been taught in Sunday Sermons? It is much easier to talk and preach about Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc. In the New Testament there is liberty in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Brothers and Sisters I don't want you to be ignorant so I must remind you that you are a"Gentile" and not a Jew. In the Book of Acts it tells the history of our conversion to Christianity. Have you ever heard of the Jerusalem Council? Have you ever heard a sermon preached on it? Well it is very important because the Holy Spirit, working through the Apostles, decreed that Gentiles are "saved through the grace of Lord Jesus Christ". Acts 15:10 Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to
bear.In Acts 15:22-29 you can read the Jerusalem Decree word for word. Please underline where it ask the Gentiles to pay tithes, get circumcise, speak in tongues, baptise in a special format, wearing makeup, no music during service, and other man made traditions we employ today today.
You have to study the scriptures in order to know the truth and the true Will of God. In most churches they are only interested in emotionalism and continuing the traditions set in place by the elders of the denomination. Psalms 119:99-100 says, "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts." If the Word says it, it's true ! Go for it, make yourself, with the help of the Holy Spirit, a bible scholar.
Dr. David Jeremiah reminds us tha Jesus is what the scriptures says He is and not what we want Him to be. He says that preachers, teachers, and Christians have to stop the practice of ignoring those parts of scriptures that don't line up with their doctrine, denomination, teachings,or beliefs.
Look at your community with spiritual eyes to see if there are any that could use your help. No matter how little we have, we can still help and brother or sister in need!
God Bless You!
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