None Suffer Lack

“Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” – Act 5:34 

You would think with their leader dead, it would be the end of the movement; but instead, it was just the beginning. Jesus’ disciples were not just able to continue, but they thrived and built a micro economy that was so comprehensive that everyone’s physical needs were met. This was to be a model of how the Christian community should function: no poor or sick were to be among them and everyone would thrive and share with others out of their abundance.

What was it that enabled this early community to thrive in this way?  How can we ensure that happening today in our own communities?

“The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” – Psalm 34:10

None suffer lack means that all of our needs are met in Christ and through the collective generosity of our industrious efforts.  It is not just about the physical needs, but it is about the spiritual needs being met as well. It begins first with what God does in us and then what we do as a result of that.  For the early disciples, God did something in them before he did it through them. If we are not spiritually whole, we will always suffer lack and no amount of material things will relieve us of our lack due to our constant discontentment.

Here are seven key things that ensured that the early church community did not suffer lack. If we cultivate them in our communities, we will experience it as well: 

1.The Holy spirit was present, the word of God taught and obeyed (Acts 2:1, 42) 

2.They had righteous leadership and they could trust their leaders (Acts 2:14, 3:43, 35)

 3. Each person was content, responsible and industrious (Acts 2:45-46)

 4. They had all things common and exercised extravagant generosity (Acts 2:44-45)

 5. They were willing to suffer for what they believed (Acts 4:2-3)

 6. They were unafraid and not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ (Acts 4:20)

 7. They were committed to the great commission (Acts 2, 3:1-10)

Like most things involving humans, this model community did not last long. Soon due to growth, lack of proper organization and internal discrimination, some among them began to suffer lack.

“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.” – Acts 6:1

The disciples quickly sought the wisdom of God and devised a solution that fixed the problem and facilitated further growth of this thriving community where none continued to suffer lack. Today, this community has grown to more then a billion people, but unfortunately over the years we lost the value of none suffer lack.

Let us recommit to creating micro communities that revive these values and usher a “none suffer lack” minded movement throughout the world.  Let us, as biblical entrepreneurs who are committed to building kingdom companies, build these values within our businesses. May we serve as catalysts for leading none suffer lack revivals that become the envy of the world so the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ may be extended throughout the world until Jesus returns.

My prayer for you today is that God will grant you the grace to live out these values so that none will suffer lack in your business and to your beloved communities.