A little over 5 years ago, Josh and I purchased a small farm outside of Luverne. While I was excited to move out of the city limits for the first time in my life, I was also hesitant of this new lifestyle. As our friends and family followed us to our new home, with moving trailers in tow, Josh asked me if I was ready for country life. I replied with an uncertain “yes” and without missing a beat he said “Good, cause our address is never going to change!” Needless to say this farm boy, who had been trapped in town for over 11 years, was excited! We had finally bought the farm and all the joys (and critters!) that come with it.
Now after making the farm our home for the last 5 years, I can only faintly remember what it was like to live in town. Actually, it would take a considerable amount of convincing to get this town kid back within the city limits! As a family we have found much joy on this simple piece of land. We’ve spent countless hours training cattle for the county fair; many driving lessons; bonfires under a starlit sky; the sweet aroma of cattle and hogs (I still think it just plain stinks!); and most of all, time spent together. I think of our conversation from moving day sometimes and it always brings a smile to my face.
I’ve been reading through the book of Acts the last couple weeks and the memory of moving day entered my mind as I read. Pondering the words Luke wrote of how the Christian faith spread throughout the land, a common theme emerged as I read the first few chapters. Verse after verse speaks of how the believers were together. The believers fellowshipped, broke bread, and prayed together (2:42). Daily they met together, ate together and worshiped together (vs.46-47). What a beautiful picture of unity. As I read through chapter 4, I continued to see this same pattern, but I stopped to ponder these next verses a little longer than the others. “32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had…34there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
Much like Christ, the apostles and their community not only took special care of each other; they sacrificed all they had for one another. As Jesus left this earth for His throne in heaven he instructed the apostles to wait for the gift His Father would be sending and that they would be His witness to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:4 & 8). The apostles obeyed His final instructions and they are the example we should follow. Would I be willing to sell my home, change my address, for the good of someone else? How about you, are you willing to sell it all and have it given to anyone who has a need?
My husband will be relieved to know I have not heard God ask me to sell the farm and give it all to those in need – at least not yet. I don’t believe God asks each of us to sell everything we have, but I do believe His desire for our life is we would be willing, if we were asked. The footnote in my Bible for these verses says “The spiritual unity and generosity of these early believers attracted others to them. This organizational structure is not a biblical command, but it offers vital principles for us to follow.” Indeed it does. It does leave me to wonder how I’ve been doing with sharing the generosity of Christ with the sojourners along my journey. How about you?
Becky Ossefoort