Lesson Four • Give
Devotion #6: Community Over Possessions
Debbie Gabbara
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Acts 2:44-45 (NIV)
In Acts chapter 2, we see the early Church come alive as 3,000 people were saved after Peter’s powerful message. United in purpose, the believers shared their lives, resources, and love for Jesus. They valued community and service over possessions.
Jesus’ disciples spent three years watching and learning from Him. Throughout the Gospels, we find Jesus emphasizing the joy that comes from giving of ourselves and our resources for others.
• In Matthew, Jesus instructed the disciples to give freely as they had freely received as He was sending them out to share the grace message of the Gospel as it had been shared with them.
• In Mark, through the parable of the widow’s offering, we come to understand that the amount that we give is not as important to God as the heart attitude with which we give.
• In Luke, Jesus teaches us that wealth is not measured by what we possess. The act of giving is seen as a reflection of our faith and trust in God’s provision.
• In John, we are reminded that before we ever pursued Him, Jesus gave His life for us.
Like those first-century believers, our church family has witnessed God move in incredible ways through the generosity, talents, and resources of this body of believers.
Because of faithful giving:
• Thousands of families hear the Gospel through our Egg Drop and Trunk or Treat events.
• Countless volunteers serve and welcome hundreds of kids to a basketball program that teaches not only sports but, most importantly, how much Jesus loves them.
• The Send a Kid to Camp auction helps send kids to camp to hear about the saving love of Jesus while bringing fun and connection to the church body.
• Volunteers and staff spend weeks preparing to bring a Sunday morning gathering to the Oakland County Fair to share the love of Jesus in the community every July.
Rocking babies, leading worship, serving in the food pantry, and teaching the Word are all acts of giving that glorify God and fill our lives till it is overflowing.
Acts 4:32 (NKJV) says, “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul.”
Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV) adds, “Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”