GPS Guide – January 14, 2020
OUR ROOTS IN GIVING
Tuesday
Read: Acts 2:42-47, Acts 11:29-30
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Act 2:42-47)
29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:29-30)
Study: The very first Christians lived out their faith as a largely unknown group, living in a city that had crucified their Lord. But the apostles’ teaching, prayer, fellowship and a radical spirit of helping one another bound them together. As the gospel spread, Christians in other places also formed congregations, often more than one in each city. From their earliest days, they shared in ways that showed they were part of something bigger than just their congregation. The teachings of the apostles and the power of the Holy Spirit moved the first Christians to share their possessions, setting aside their own gain to bless others. That spirit extended to their life together as congregations. How does your readiness to share with others reflect God’s impact on your life? How do you respond inwardly to being part of a congregation that intentionally seeks to serve other congregations?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the generous model those early Christians left for me. Help me to live with the same spirit of sharing and caring they showed. Amen.