1. The Unhindered Harvest
Acts:
The Unhindered Harvest

2. Acts 4:32-35 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

3. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

4. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales

5. and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

6. Remember… Important, not primary What is primary Work of the enemy
Accountability
God’s holiness

7. Two Questions The question of giving The question of buildings
Source – vintage desires
A return to the early church

8. The question of giving Historical Precedent
Abraham & Melchizedek
The Law
The Monarchy
Exile
Primary Principle (Proverbs 3:7-10)

9. “The aim of all tithing was to acknowledge that all man had belonged to God.” (Feinberg, Pictorial Encyclopedia, vol. 5, pg. 757)

10. The question of giving Issue in Acts Incidental
Only a part, not the whole
Need the full picture

11. The question of giving What’s in view What’s behind the scenes
Need based
Voluntary response
Sacrificial response
What’s behind the scenes
Temple
Jewish obligation

12. The question of giving
Acts 4 was not the whole, but only a part, of their giving
Post-temple principle
Voluntary
Open-handed

13. The question of buildings
Temple still primary
Temple was not antithetical
Homes and public gatherings were additional

14. The question of buildings
Movement away was persecution based
Temple destruction was judgement
Continued to use large structures

15. The question of buildings
Historical Precedent
Thematic
Tabernacle
Temple
Practical Purposes
Identity
Community

16. The question of buildings
Keep in mind
No directive either way
Latitude for freedom
No right way

17. A giving and gathered community of believers has always been the focal point of God’s people, not merely one choice out of many.

18. Reaping the Harvest Attend Participate Serve Give Be a witness
In the name of Jesus
Reaping the Harvest

19. Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

20. and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

21. not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995