One Heart One Soul

How united were the thousands of new Christian converts?
So much so that they are described as being "of one heart and one soul" (Acts 4:32)

Were they of one heart and one soul only in words?
None of them said "that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common" (Acts 4:32).

Who prayed for them to have one heart and one soul?
Jesus, and that unity lent credibility to their message about Jesus: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" (John 17:20).

Were they selling off things that they didn't really need?
No, they were selling their own homes.

Who was doing that?
All Christian homeowners: "all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them" (Acts 4:34).

Where did they bring the proceeds?
They "laid them at the apostles’ feet" (Acts 4:35).

Did the apostles keep the proceeds for themselves?
No, they distributed it to people who had more pressing needs than homeownership: "They distributed to each as anyone had need" (Acts 4:35).

But isn't homeownership a basic need?
No, just food and clothing are: "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Timothy 6:7-8).

What is the result of not being content with food and clothing today?
Millions of Christians suffer and even die from lack of food, particularly in developing nations, while millions who claim to be their brothers and sisters in Christ, including in developed nations, take God's money for the hungry and buy "lands or houses" (Acts 4:34), recreational toys, etc. for themselves.

"But I worked hard for my house?"
Do you think the Christians mentioned in Acts 4:34 stole theirs?

What is the consequence of neglecting any Christian in need?
According to Jesus, hell: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment...” (Matthew 25:41-46)

Why don't pulpits preach this today?
They don't want to lose the "possessors of lands or houses" (Acts 4:34) in their pews.

Should pulpits preach what God said that offends sinners?