All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all  that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales.
Acts 4:32-34

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It’s been a long time since I searched the couch cushions for change. But not that long. I grew up feeling like my cup was half empty. Other people had plenty, but I needed to scrape by. I’d count piles of saved-up coins, hoping I could buy something I wanted, not just to afford what I needed. In college, I experienced the same. When I got married, I experienced the same. And even now, despite God’s remarkable track record of providing plenty, I still catch a scarcity mindset trying to rule my heart. So, when I read about the believers in the Act 2 church, I appreciate that they shared and know I have a hard time doing it sometimes.

You might be like me, or maybe you’re more of a cup-half-full kind of person. You see what you have, not what’s missing. But does that mean you’re willing to be radically unselfish like those in the early church? Ideally, yes, but humanly speaking, usually not. Acts 4:32-34 reveals a reality about the family of God—regardless of being half-empty or half-full in the past, all the believers were united by the Holy Spirit like never before. Can you imagine a community of Christians rapidly growing from 3,000 to 5,000 (see Acts 2:41; 4:4) with completely aligned minds and hearts? I’ve experienced unity dissolve over disagreements about takeout, so the idea of this many socially, ethnically, religiously, and economically diverse people sharing everything freely blows my mind. We’re way past being half-empty or half-full when it comes to the body of Christ. Following Jesus moves us into the realm of full-on!

Today, you and I will have opportunities not just to share something we have but to be radically unselfish. A heart transformation toward openhandedness with all God gives us only happens when we’re attentive to the full-on power of the Holy Spirit. This is how the first-century believers were united in spirit and purpose, and the same is possible in and through our lives and church family. It’s not about the haves and have-nots, it is about the One who has it all and leads us to share freely so no one is in need. It’s on us to look, listen, and be ready for the Holy Spirit to give us radical, full-on, unselfish hearts and hands.

Next Steps

As you head toward Easter weekend, are you feeling half-empty or half-full as you follow Jesus, and why?

How open are you to the Holy Spirit nudging you to practice full-on unselfishness toward someone God brings across your path this week?