In ancient times extended families...
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In ancient times extended families shared what few earthly goods they owned in order to survive. Possessions held in common within extended families was practiced all over the known world at that time. The followers of Jesus found themselves without blood kin, but became the family of God now, continuing to share in common within this new family as they always had at home in earlier times.
This arrangement threatens our middle-class, individualistic, capitalist lifestyles, but we must remember that this early church believed that Christ would return in glory during their lifetimes. There was no need for them to plan for a future on earth, with property and possessions.
This new family of God shared a common cause and a common devotion to Jesus as Messiah. They ate together and supported each other in various occupations, mostly as day laborers. The more we learn about ancient cultures and world views, the better we can understand the enormous gap that exists between us and the earliest followers of Jesus.
This arrangement threatens our middle-class, individualistic, capitalist lifestyles, but we must remember that this early church believed that Christ would return in glory during their lifetimes. There was no need for them to plan for a future on earth, with property and possessions.
This new family of God shared a common cause and a common devotion to Jesus as Messiah. They ate together and supported each other in various occupations, mostly as day laborers. The more we learn about ancient cultures and world views, the better we can understand the enormous gap that exists between us and the earliest followers of Jesus.
