When God launched the church in first-century Jerusalem, He poured out the Holy Spirit in great power, but there was also an amazing Spirit of Generosity at work amongst them. It was not only in the first days of the church but continued as we see the story unfold over a period of time.
This was not a new idea, but actually reflected the commands the Lord had given the people of Israel under Moses leadership as they prepared to enter the Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 14:28-29). The command for them to uphold the cause of the widows, the fatherless and the foreigners in their midst is a direct reflection of God’s own heart and desire to care for disadvantaged people. The wording identical to Deuteronomy 10:18-19.
God’s command to look after the poor comes with an amazing promise:
…there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.
Deuteronomy 15:4-5
What is extraordinary about the early church is that they actually began to live in obedience to God’s command in a way that Israel was never able to. It is because of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit that we (Christians) can live in such radical love and generosity. It can’t happen without the Holy Spirit and it is indeed miraculous how God can transform the human heart from selfishness to selflessness. The Holy Spirit gives us a new heart and in doing so we can reflect God’s own kindness, love and generosity.
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