阅读经文 

当人们被在耶稣里的新生命所吸引时，他们中间有一个重要特征：没有任何人被忽略。“内中也没有一个缺乏的”，你能想象那是怎样的情景吗?

想想自己作为领受的一方，尽管寻求帮助会遇到困难，但我相信人们最终会感到如释重负，因为他们知道自己的需求终究会得到满足。

那些给予帮助的人又如何呢？在不期待回报的情况下主动帮助和满足人们需求的能力一定是具有感染力的。人们真的卖掉了自己的财产来帮助满足别人的需要。想想“爱弟兄，彼此亲热”的古训吧。

在今天的西方文化中，我们倾向于抵挡这种共享型社会生活的概念。如果我们帮助别人，他们会不会利用我们，期望我们继续付出更多？我们如何才能在某些时候学习说不？

也许神的国并不是按照这种文化模式运作的？

也许我们蒙召要通过彼此关心和满足各人的需要来显明神的心意，也许唯有这样做我们才会发出耶稣的亮光。

想象一下，如果我们教会每天都以这种慷慨利他的态度生活，会怎么样。我相信教会外的人会注意到这种独特的生活方式并感到好奇。

As people were gripped by the reality of new life in Jesus, something significant was happening among them: no one was left out. “There were no needy persons among them.” Can you imagine what that was like?

Think about being on the receiving end. As hard as it can be to ask for help, I’m sure that people felt relief, knowing their needs would be supplied.

And what about the people who were giving? The ability to help meet the needs of people without expectations must have been contagious. People literally sold their property to help meet the needs of others. Talk about being devoted to one another.

In our Western culture today, we tend to struggle with this concept of social living. If we help someone out, will they take advantage and expect us to keep on giving? How will we be able to say no at some point?

Or could it be that God’s kingdom doesn’t work that way?

Maybe we are called to show God’s heart by caring for and meeting each other’s needs, and maybe in doing so we will reflect the light of Jesus.

Imagine what would happen if we, the church, lived each day with this kind of generosity. I’m sure that people outside the church would take notice and become curious.