"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had." Acts 4:3
My grandma is an artist. She has the ability to take very little and out of it flows abundant hospitality. Even back to the days when my grandma would walk down the stairs in the morning asking God if she could just have a roll of toilet paper, maybe a little jam, maybe some beans so she could make a soup. (He always miraculously filled her grocery lists) Back to the days when she served her family head cheese and possum; my grandparents door was always open. My grandpa would frequently invite guests over to fellowship. My grandma would toast up some bread and open a can of sardines to make sandwiches, then she'd take a little flour, a little oil, a little jam and make up some squares. Together all would partake, there would be prayer and singing, and the unifying of heart and mind. It didn't take a lot of money, it just took generosity. "And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 2 Corinth. 8:1-5
Even in our varying degrees of perceived poverty, we need to break through with generosity. These people pleaded to be able to give. They gave generously and with overflowing joy. These people knew what it was like not to pay the bills, they knew what hunger and nakedness felt like. They found it in themselves to be joyful. That is kingdom thinking. When you should be crushed under the stress of money and possessing, the Spirit of God rises up in you to be generous.Don't hide behind closed doors worrying about keeping up with the Jone's, they've got their own issues to deal with. I've got the peanutbutter, you bring the jam, let's get together!
