Reflections on a bright Easter morning. . .
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The Law of Moses is clear:
"There will, however, be no one in need among you, because the Lord is sure to bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you as a possession to occupy, if only you will obey the Lord your God by diligently observing this entire commandment that I command you today." (Deuteronomy 15:4-5)
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God's understanding of the results of our disobedience and the reality of life is not naive:
"Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.'" (Deuteronomy 15:11)
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The post-Easter community of faith modeled and witnessed to an experience of the resurrection in daily life:
"All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. . . .and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need." (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32b-35)
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What will the Easter faith mean today. . .for me?
At what point did the Apostles' followers stop redistributing it and instead spend it on massive building campaigns for enormously unnecessary churches?
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