02-11-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
February 11, 2021
Scripture: Acts 4:31-32
When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.

Thought for the Day: One of the folks at Cypress Creek sent me a saying that really resonated with me: “The joy of sharing endures far longer than the elation of acquiring.” I wasn’t able to find the source of the quote, and for that I am sorry. Yet there is no question how the scriptures uphold sharing as an essential part of living faithfully within community. Now I have heard all kinds of very sophisticated and religiously complex arguments for why we shouldn’t take the words from Acts seriously. Not to be rude, but all the theological gymnastics does not diminish the expectation of sharing within the first century church. I think I’m generally a generous person, but I don’t know if I’m quite ready to give up private ownership of all my possessions. There are some things I like, really like. Yet instead of explaining these words away, how might I hear their challenge today? How might my yearning for specific stuff keep me from living more fully in the beloved community? Maybe I won’t change much at all or maybe something dramatic will happen. No matter how discomforting a passage of scripture might be, we should give it some space and time to work on our hearts. Who knows where it might take us…

Prayer: There is so much of this faith thing that is amazing and beautiful. You are the source, Lord God, and you have given me so much. At the same time, there are certain aspects of this faith thing that leave me uncomfortable, even defensive. Provide me enough peace for there to be an honest encounter with the words of scripture and your Living Word. Amen.

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