Devotion #3: It Takes A Village

“Two are better than one,” is a phrase straight from the Bible (Ecclesiastes 4:9) and something we hear in our day to day. The idea that multiple people are better than just one is not a new idea, but I feel that in our modern time, this idea has been lost. It may be because of the rise of social media, how we can pretty much buy anything and have it shipped to our door, or how we can have food delivered and not have to leave the house or see anyone. We now live in a time where loneliness is at an all-time high, so the importance of community is also at its highest. So, as the Church, what does that mean for us? In a world full of people needing community, what does it mean for God’s community? 

We are going through Reach, Gather, Grow in the book of Acts chapters 1-2. Acts 2:44-45 states, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” 

As Christians, we are called by God to gather together so we can worship, learn, serve, and grow closer to one another. We must go out and be with people who are like-minded so we can grow in our relationship with God. We can see that in verse 44. The next verse brings up what happens when God’s community is strong. When Christians gather together regularly and pray with one another, they will start to realize and hear the needs of those around them, from the minor to the major needs. Then the community can gather around the people who are in need and find a way to provide for their needs, whether that is selling possessions, as said in verse 45, or providing time to care for them. This is why it takes a community to provide for a need. God has blessed everyone with different abilities. For some, this is money, and for others, it is their time or prayer, but all gifts are needed to provide for those who are in need. As Christians, we must gather together and help to provide for those around us.