Devotionals Detail

Reading: Acts 2: 42-47

There is a part of my personality which I believe God has given me to survive ministry. It is the unwavering belief in the goodness of all people. Without a doubt, I believe that each person is made in the good and holy image of God and is of sacred worth. Because of that belief, I have been able to believe the best is possible in people, no matter what.

That’s why, when we come to passages like this one in Acts 2 - when the new believers are inspired by Peter’s prophetic voice to share possessions to ensure all the needs of the people are met - I see a claim of every person’s sacred worth. There are many times I have preached this passage where parishioner’s have been upset saying “you’re preaching socialism!” Not in my Biblical understanding. For I believe God has created us holy specifically so we want what God wants: for all to have what is needed for human flourishing. Flourishing is God’s desire for creation in the very beginning of Genesis, and it is what God wants for all the world. After all, Jesus came to give life and to give it abundantly. But that abundance does not mean we misuse the dominion given to us, so that one has more than is needed. Instead, God wants all of humanity to have opportunity, resources, possibilities, and provisions for the kingdom of God to reign on earth.

Now some might say I’m foolish or too Pollyanna in my belief. After all: look at the greed people have in wealth, consider the hoarding of resources, see how many suffer from not having enough. To this I say – you are right – we have lost our way. We have lost connection with that holy spark within us proclaiming – ALL people are of sacred worth, so lets’ treat each other that way.

But that is why I don’t get discouraged. Because I believe God has created us to actually WANT this flourishing for all – that is part of our holy spark. I don’t give up hope this can happen. Because when people understand themselves as holy, they will treat others as holy. It is when this transformation happens that a natural outpouring of resources occurs. Christians give to others not because we feel obligated or a responsibility, but because we see the sacred worth in each and every person. And because of our connection to the holy within us – we desperately WANT that for others. Our connection to God’s life in ours makes us naturally desire for all to have enough. When we understand the sacred within ourselves, we don’t want others to go without.

So when you start to become hopeless that greed has taken over, or power is being abused, or there is not enough to go around, remember, there is a holy spark in everyone. Not only are you invited to be that inspiration of sharing of your resources so another might catch a glimpse of the Christian life, but perhaps you also might be in prayer for them, that they too can see the holy in themselves.