Page 69 - Livin Light Issue 81

Thursday August 24 - Great generosity
There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those
who owned land or houses sold them... Acts 4:34-35
Jesus taught at length how we should act, having freely received grace. He expounded this in parables about mercy, forgiveness and judging others.
By today’s standards this newly birthed fellowship was amazing. The Greek word ‘koinonia’ best describes the fellowship they enjoyed. Koinonia is a shared covenantal community leading to a partnership in life: people bound by the love of God, empowered by his Holy Spirit and living according to his Word.
This may seem too high and lofty, but it is the template given in God’s word and lived out in this embryonic church in Jerusalem. Take a moment to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you personally about generosity. I hesitate to say more for fear of fuelling prosperity theology, but it would be wrong not to consider the law of reciprocity – forgive and you will be forgiven (Matthew 6:14); similarly with mercy (Matthew 5:7), and generosity (Luke 6:38)... This is not a matter of works, nor of ‘seed faith’ where the motive is to give in order to receive, but it’s purely the outworking of God’s grace in our lives.
By being generous we place ourselves under heaven’s open window (Malachi 3:10). Paul tells us of the grace that God has given the Macedonian church: ‘In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity’ (2 Corinthians 8:2).
Father, may my trust in your provision be such that I freely give because I freely receive. Amen.
Friday August 25 - Great encouragement
...Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’) sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37
The apostles gave Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, a nickname which stuck. He became Barnabas, ‘son of encouragement’ – his generosity was exemplary and typical of the early church. Encouragement is a grace gift which can have a massive impact. I thank God for those who have come alongside me, when my head has dropped, to spur me on. I have no idea where I might have ended up had it not been for their encouragement.
We each have a choice – to encourage or discourage; leaving people feeling stronger or weaker; giving or draining courage. Why not take a moment to think of people you might encourage today? With an act of kindness, a compliment, a gift (following the example of Barnabas) or reaching out to someone in need, the possibilities are endless.
This is not the last mention of Barnabas. We find him introducing Paul to the apostles (Acts 9:27) and later seeking out Paul to help him in Antioch (Acts 11:25-26). Barnabas became Paul’s companion on his first missionary journey, and later was to join the ranks of the apostles. While checking out the revival in Antioch, Acts 11:23 records: ‘When he (Barnabas) arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.’ True to his name, Barnabas encouraged them in the best way!
Father, may I also see with eyes of grace and encourage others to remain true to you. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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