The physician Luke wrote how Peter and John were arrested for speaking to the people in the temple about the resurrection of the dead. They answered the “religious leaders” and were released after being threatened not to speak or teach in Jesus' name. Afterward the people prayed to the Lord, and “when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, ...”, and in chapter four and verse thirty-five of the book of Acts Luke wrote how the people took their possessions and,“laid them down at the apostles' feet” where we read:
And laid them down at the apostles' feet:
and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
The verse begins, “And laid them down at the apostles' feet:” Luke began with the words, “and laid them down” which means “and placed, set and put their possessions ” “at the apostles' feet” which means “at the feet of Jesus' delegates, messengers and ones sent forth”. Luke shared how the people who sold their “possessions” placed them at the “feet” of Jesus' disciples known as “apostles”.
The verse continues, “and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Luke added the words, “and distribution was made” which means “and the possessions were divided, given over to and delivered” “unto every man” or “to each, the whole, all and everyone of the people both male and female” “according as he had need” which means “as far and just as each person had a certain necessity or lack”. Luke shared how the apostles “divided” the possessions among the people wherever they lacked in anything.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the people from the multitude gave their possessions to the “apostles”, and the “apostles” delivered them to the crowd of believers wherever they were lacking. This was a true demonstration of them loving one another and caring for their needs. God loves people, and He cares for everyone. He wants them to yield themselves to His Son Jesus to be forgiven of their sins, be granted everlasting life and learn to provide the needs of others. Let all who read these words be inspired by the care and love this multitude showed to one another and surrender their lives to Jesus.
Next time Luke shares about a man named,“Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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