By: C.J. Lloyd August 16, 2024

The book of Acts in the New Testament emphasizes community and helping one another. Acts offers a great deal of wisdom surrounding stewardship and how time ought to be spent. One phrase I have often heard about Acts is that Christians were called to live in a “radically communal way.” How then do we apply the book of Acts to our radically individual lives?

1. Radical Generosity and Sharing of Resources

One of the most striking aspects of the early Christian community was their willingness to share everything they had. In Acts 2:44-45, we read:

“And all the believers were together and had all things in common; and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need”

This passage paints a picture of a community where personal ownership took a backseat to the needs of the collective. The believers saw their possessions not as personal wealth to be hoarded but as communal resources to be distributed according to need. This radical generosity ensured that “For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales” (Acts 4:34 NASB20).

2. Stewardship of Leadership and Service

Stewardship in the early church wasn’t limited to material goods. Acts 6:1-7 tells the story of the appointment of seven deacons to oversee the daily distribution of food. This decision arose from a practical need: ensuring that all members of the community, particularly the Greek widows, received their fair share, in a new church dominated by Jewish leadership.

This passage highlights the importance of stewardship and inclusion in leadership. The apostles recognized that managing the community’s resources—including food—required dedicated, trustworthy individuals. By delegating this responsibility, the early church demonstrated a model of leadership that is servant-hearted, practical, and deeply concerned with justice and fairness.

3. Unity in Stewardship

The Book of Acts repeatedly emphasizes the unity of the early believers. Acts 4:32, says:

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them”

This unity was not just spiritual but also practical, manifested in the way they managed their resources. Their stewardship was a reflection of their shared faith and purpose. It wasn’t about charity or the transference of wealth to the poor; it was about a community coming together as one body, ensuring that everyone’s needs were met.

The Book of Acts provides a painting of what stewardship can look like when it is lived out in community. The early Christians understood that everything they had was a gift from God, and they were called to manage these gifts in a way that reflected their faith and love for one another. Their example challenges us to rethink our own approach to stewardship, urging us to embrace generosity, communal responsibility, and unity as we manage the resources God has entrusted to us.