Not A Needy Person Among Them

As usual Reta Finger provides fresh insights on the Jerusalem church in her article in March issue of Sojourners entitled "Not a Needy Person Among Them."  I would like to add to her comments.  She writes:

     Few biblical texts have been more influenced by the social status of their interpreters than those that describe a community of pooled possessions. [Acts 4:32-35]  If we have grown up in comfortable middle-class capitalism, such an arrangement seems foreign---even a threat to our life.

Economic systems tend to reflect the depravity of humans---greed and systems of oppression.  According to the OT Sabbath/Jubilee laws, such economic systems need to be born again every seven years when a leveling of society, a fresh beginning takes place with all debts canceled and all slaves/oppressed freed.  I think Acts 4:32-35 echoes the Sabbath/Jubilee year principles or it may even be a direct application of such.

The church in the book of Acts replicated on a large scale what Zacchaeus did at the individual level.  Zacchaeus, a rich oppressor, met Jesus; out of this encounter, Zacchaeus recognized his sin, then repented and validated his repentance with large amounts of financial restitution.  He gave back his extorted riches and then some.

During Jesus' time, religious, political and economic leaders rigged the financial/economic system to favor the powerful elite.  Jesus called this system a 'den of robbers'.  Some of these rich oppressors were converted on the day of Pentecost or soon thereafter.  What should they do with their exploited riches---their extra houses and farms?  Many voluntarily sold their extra houses and lands, brought the money to the church which then gave the monies to the poor.  The Spirit-filled church was practicing generosity and justice.

Rarely do the American rich repent and share their riches with the poor; sometimes at the charity level, but seldom at the justice level.  True conversion, full conversion results in repentance and restitution, repair and rebuilding, sharing and justice.