34-35And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.

- Acts 4:32-35 (The Message)

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In the devotional book, “A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God,” modern-day theologian, Reuben P. Job, writes about the uncommon practices of the early Christian community.

“The way early disciples lived mystified people around them because the disciples seemed to live in another world. The principles that guided them clearly differed from those that guided others. They practiced a way of life both beautiful and mysterious. Their lives made sense only if one knew that they were living by the power and guidance of God. Their lives were governed by the reign of God and not by the press of politics or the call of culture. They were different because they chose to live their lives in obedience to and in the presence of God. The radical love for God and neighbor resulted in dramatic actions that perplexed all who observed them…The first-generation Christians live this radical faith every day. Their actions caught the world’s attention both positively and negatively, but their actions- like ours- were not calculated to bring a response; rather, their actions and ours are a response.”

This week’s text tells us that those in the early church lived communally with one another. This does not mean that they were without problems, but when it came to their worldly possessions, they shared what they had. We might choose to share with others some of our wealth, but to give it all to the common fund is a foreign idea. Most people don’t live this way today, nor was this common practice in the time of the early church.

Reuben Job makes a two important points regarding Christian living. First, he reminds us that Christians are called to live by different standards than the rest of the world. Christian living often requires us to be counter-cultural. He states, “Our actions prompt sometimes gratitude and sometimes perplexity in others. They prompt sometimes joy and gratitude within our lives and sometimes weariness when our radical actions are misunderstood.” Sometimes people appreciate the fruit of walking to a different drummer and sometimes they are confused by it.

The second point is that we live differently not because we seek to bring a response; rather, we live differently because WE ARE RESPONDING to God’s grace in our lives. In other words, the motive to live differently is not simply to be different. We live differently because our faith in God motivates our actions.

This week, reflect upon the ways your faith influences you to live differently than those around you?

Prayer: God, I have answered the call to follow you, but what do you want me to do with my life? How shall I honor you through my actions? Where would you have me go and what would you have me do? All honor and glory to you almighty God now and forever. Amen.

A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God. Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job. Upper Room Books: Nashville. 2003. P. 283-284.