ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (OCTOBER 08, 2011)

Generosity of Grace
Acts 4:32-37




"With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them..."
(Acts 4:33-34)

Paul explained that trying to coerce human conduct by legal demands will produce just the opposite of the desired outcome (Romans 7:7–8:3). He said, "I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'" The law against covetousness only revealed coveting; it did not produce generosity.

Giving and generosity are not the same things. Giving may be manipulated by guilt. Generosity only flows from a heart that has been touched by grace. If we want to see more generosity in ourselves, then we need to experience more grace. Because of the grace Jesus has shown us, we can generously give to others.

All the references to immense generosity in the New Testament are accompanied by the experience of great grace. Before the foundation of the world, the Father promised to the Son a people. He is graciously fulfilling that promise by redeeming all who believe. Praise Him that you are a part of the abundant generosity which flows from the gracious heart of the Father.

INSIGHT
How can we who have received that grace not be generous to others?

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 51-52
Psalm 96
Acts 19

Acts 4:32-37
The Believers Share Their Possessions
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.