Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. (NIV)

Acts 4: 32 All 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. 33 With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there 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 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5: 5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” (NIV)

Luke’s description of the life of the earliest church has been much discussed. Part of that discussion has centered on whether the earliest church practiced an early form of communism. Well, a blog is not a book, so I will be brief, not thorough.

Many believe the new Christian movement followed older patterns of communal ownership of possessions found in certain Greek and Jewish groups. The most notable Greek community was the Pythagoreans. These followers of Pythagoras, an ancient Ionian philosopher (570-495 BC), lived in a closed community and surrendered their possessions to their leaders. Some followers of Plato followed suit. (1)

Much closer to the roots of the earliest church was the Jewish community at Qumran. Here is a description of their community:
Community life was marked by communal ownership of property. Though one entered the community voluntarily and became a full member only after two-thirds years of probation (1QS 6.13–18), one was expected to turn all property and earnings over to the community's overseer. Communal ownership was partly motivated by a contempt for worldly riches; these were to be left to the men of perdition, whereas the members formed the "community of the poor" (4Qp Ps 37 2.10). (2)

It should be noted that in this closed community, women and the disabled were excluded.

I’ll cut to the chase, the similarities between these communities and the earliest followers of Jesus are few. The differences are many and profound. Here are a few:

From the first, the church, far from a closed and cloistered community, was expanding. Their marching orders were to go to the ends of the earth.
The disciples were inclusive. All who gave themselves to Jesus were welcome. This was especially true of women, some of whom walked with Jesus, and financially supported His mission (Luke 8:1-3). This also includes the disabled, who were never excluded and at least some of whom were healed by the power of the Spirit.
The surrendering of possessions was never compelled as a term of entrance. Selling one’s possessions, or even simple giving, was voluntary and needs-based (in addition to the above passages, see Acts 11:27-30). The homes of wealthier followers were not sold, but instead were often opened to the community of believers. (3)
Peter made it clear that Ananias and Sapphira were not compelled to sell their property, nor to give all or any of it to the church. It was theirs to do with it as they wished.(4) They died because they lied. And they lied, not just to Peter and the church, but to the Holy Spirit, and that’s never wise!
What motivated the disciples giving from their possessions, was not entrance into the Jesus’ community, but rather, as Luke affirms, the grace of God was powerfully at work in all. Giving from the disciples was a response to giving from God. That’s the motive throughout the New Testament (see 2 Corinthians 9).
Despite the egalitarian language of other communal groups, the control of the groups’ common possessions was taken by elite, usually high-status, leaders. Barnabas, seen as a wealthy landowner, laid the proceeds of the sale of his field at the feet of simple Galilean fishermen—which made a striking picture. Beyond that, the apostles had no interest in controlling the dispersal of goods (Acts 6:1-4).
The principle of loving generosity goes throughout the New Testament. One primary example is the collection Paul organizes on behalf of the poor in Jerusalem. Such generosity, freely given, unites people.

Using these passages to argue for communism, socialism, or capitalism, is to misuse them. Instead, let’s use them to argue for love and generosity among disciples. Such giving demonstrates that we follow the teaching and example of the One who gave Himself for us!

Tim Kelley

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(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Marxist_communism

(2) https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/qumran-community

(3) For further discussion of this, see an earlier blog: https://www.littletonchurch.org/blog/2023/3/28/renounce-my-possessions.

(4) What the early disciples believed, was that they and all they had was owned by God, and they were but stewards, with responsibility over these possessions (Acts 4:32).