The formation of the early Christian church remains to be one of history's most remarkable movements- for a small group of less than one hundred men grew to thousands within weeks and then to billions in a matter of two millennia. The book of Acts in the Bible tells us of the remarkable story of how the early church was built up.
One of the most remarkable things about the early church was the absence of poor people within the community. Does the Bible really say that? As a matter of fact, it does in Acts 4:34-35 where it is said, "There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles 'feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."
What was it that drove the early church to such compassion for the poor and needy? Was it because they were all extremely rich? Not necessarily, as one must remember that many of Jesus' disciples were not born into wealthy families. Was it because they were smart, strategic or good at raising funds?
The motivation to such compassion and generosity is found a few chapters prior in Acts 2:36-37 when Peter first preached to the members of the early church. Peter said to them, "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
What drove the early Christians to generosity was not a revelation of a law or command, but a revelation of a person who had displayed the highest level of generosity by giving up the most valuable thing to Him and arguably the most valuable thing in the whole world- His own life. The early church was driven to compassion for the poor and needy by the compassion of Jesus for us.
In the same way, our motivation should not be on how much we have to give because then we would always be limited. It should rather be rooted and founded on the revelation of who Jesus is in our lives and what spiritual and material blessing we now have because of what He has done for us.
