Acts 2:45

and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.

Points to Note:

Unfortunately, some have claimed that the early Christians practiced communism. But carefully notice the language of the text: (a) 'This is not...were everything is confiscated and placed in. central store-house and then doled out equally to all.' (Reese p. 85) Notice that such goods and funds were only given to members "in need". (b) The selling of such possessions was completely voluntary- Acts 4:34. (c) The early church definitely believed in the right to own and keep private property (Acts 5:4). (e) The money didn't end up enriching the leadership in the Church. The money wasn't used to buy. church headquarters, estate, compound or mansion were everyone lived. (f) Christians didn't sell everything they owned. Reese notes, 'What it does say is that Christians were willing to use whatever they had when others had need. "It's yours if you need it" was the prevailing attitude..Another reason for such. practice...was that many of those who came from abroad to the feast of Pentecost may have stayed longer than anticipated, and they would now be denied the hospitality by the Jews who had not yet embraced Christianity...The verbs throughout this section are in the imperfect tense, expressing the constant recurrence of this act. The sale and distribution took place from time to time as special occasions of distress or want called for them.' (p. 85)

Stott notes, 'None reproached, none envied, none grudged; no pride, no contempt was there...The poor man knew no shame, the rich no haughtiness.' (p. 84)

It is sad that some have charged that this "giving" was responsible for the famine mentioned in Acts 11:28. That is, this "experiment" in the early church turned out to be. failure. But such an accusation infers that the apostles weren't inspired men. For this was done with their approval (Acts 4:37).

'AS ANY MAN'-Which is defined in Acts 2:44 as those who believed and in Acts 4:34 as those among them. In the Bible we don't find the Church being. welfare agency for the world. This giving went to needy Christians.