Early Christian Community Resource Sharing Practices
The early Christian community in Jerusalem practiced a remarkable degree of resource sharing, characterized by a voluntary spirit of generosity and mutual care [4]. This practice is notably described in the book of Acts, where believers are depicted as having "all things in common" [5].
Specifically, Acts 2:45 states that early Christians sold their possessions and goods, distributing the proceeds to anyone who was in need [2]. This was not a coerced system but rather a willing offering driven by Christian love and concern for fellow believers [4]. The sharing was intended to meet pressing needs within the community, ensuring that "neither was there any among them that lacked" [4, 10]. This practice of pooling resources and distributing them through the apostles meant that individuals renounced control over what they once owned, with the proceeds being managed for the benefit of the community [5].
This communal sharing extended beyond mere financial contributions. Early Christians also shared fellowship meals, which often included the celebration of the Lord's Supper [6]. These gatherings typically occurred in homes, at least once a week, often on the Lord's Day [7]. The Apostle Paul later addressed issues that arose during these shared meals in the Corinthian church, indicating their significance in early Christian life [7].
The concept of charity and almsgiving was not new to the Jewish context from which Christianity emerged. Mosaic legislation encouraged a spirit of charity and aimed to prevent destitution among the people (Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 15:7) [3]. Old Testament passages like Psalm 41:1 and Proverbs 14:31 also fostered a benevolent spirit [3]. However, the early Christian community's practice in Acts appears to have been a more radical and comprehensive form of sharing, where private ownership was subordinated to communal need [5].
The Apostle Paul further exhorted believers to share with those in need and to practice hospitality (Romans 12:13) [1]. He also instructed the wealthy to be generous and willing to share, emphasizing that Christian hope leads to the responsible management of resources for enjoyment and for sharing Christ's love with others, rather than asceticism or communism [8]. This suggests that while the Jerusalem church's practice in Acts was unique in its intensity, the underlying principle of generous sharing remained a core Christian value.
The "young men" mentioned in Acts 5:6, who carried out Ananias's body, are understood by some commentators not as office-bearers, but as active members of the church who volunteered their services for practical arrangements, highlighting the communal involvement in the church's operations [9]. This demonstrates a broader participation in the practical aspects of community life beyond just financial contributions. The provision of a common stock, while perhaps temporary in its specific form, was seen as a suitable and timely response to the needs of the Christian poor, especially given their exclusion from traditional Jewish charitable provisions [10].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- Acts “Acts 2:45 (BSB) — Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Alms — Not found in the Old Testament, but repeatedly in the New. The Mosaic legislation (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 15:7) tended to promote a spirit of charity, and to prevent the occurrence of destitution among the people. Such passages as these, Ps. 41:1; 112:9; Prov. 14:31; Isa. 10:2; Amos 2:7; Jer. 5:28; Ezek. 22:29, would also naturally foster the same benevolent spirit. In the time of our Lord begging was common (Mark 10:46; Acts 3:2). The Pharisees were very ostentatious in their almsgivings (Matt. 6:2). The spirit by which the Christian ought to be actuated in this d”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 4:32: 4:32-35 The sharing of early believers was remarkable (see also 2:44-45; cp. 6:1). Being united in heart and mind, they willingly offered anything they possessed to meet the needs of other believers. This sharing was voluntary and without coercion, and it related to pressing needs in the community and was prompted by Christian love and concern for one another.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 50: .) Some indeed say that these passages do not imply any actual community of goods. Having “all things common” is understood to mean, “No one regarded his possessions as belonging absolutely to himself, but as a trust for the benefit of others also.” This interpretation seems inconsistent with the whole narrative. Those who had possessions sold them. They renounced all control over what was once their own. The price was handed over to the Apostles and distributed by them or under their direction. 429 On the narrative as given in the Acts i”
- Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 1:12: 1:12 The early Christians celebrated the Lord’s Supper as part of shared fellowship meals with one another.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:17: 11:17-34 Paul addresses problems in the way the Corinthians were relating to each other and to the Lord while taking the Lord’s Supper. 11:17 when you meet together: Early Christians met together in someone’s home at least once a week, usually on the Lord’s Day (see 16:2).”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 6:17: 6:17-19 In light of 6:11-16, it is folly to treasure the transient wealth of this age (Jas 5:3). It is better to store up treasure for the coming age through trust in God and by being rich in good works and generous in love for others (see 1 Tim 1:5). 6:17-18 for our enjoyment: Christian hope does not lead to asceticism or communism but to the management of resources (Gen 1:28-30; 2:15), which we are to use for enjoyment (see 1 Tim 4:3-5; Ps 145:16; Acts 14:17) and for sharing Christ’s love with others (see Luke 12:16-34; 2 Cor 8:1–9:15).”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 5:6: the young men--some of the younger and more active members of the church, not as office-bearers, nor coming forward now for the first time, but who probably had already volunteered their services in making subordinate arrangements. In every thriving Christian community such volunteers may be expected, and will be found eminently useful.”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 4:34: Neither was there any among them that lacked - It was customary with the Jews to call the poor together, to eat of the sacrifices, but as the priests, etc., were incensed against Christ and Christianity, consequently the Christian poor could have no advantage of this kind; therefore, by making a common stock for the present necessity, the poor were supplied; so there was none among them that lacked. This provision therefore of the community of goods, which could be but temporary, was made both suitably and seasonably. See Bp. Pearce, and see the note on Act 2:44.”