Acts 4:32-35 – And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.
Acts 4:33 – TPT – and great measures of grace rested upon them all.
This passage begins to show the shift that had happened in the congregation of Jewish believers in those early days in Jerusalem. These people had been taught to tithe all of their lives but this was now completely different. They were not giving just into an institution and into a system, they had been touched by the Lord and they were part of God’s people. Their giving was now kingdom giving and not just an obligation. Their giving into the Jewish system was no longer experiencing the blessing of God. Israel was under the control of Rome and had fallen from the favor of the Lord. Rather than living under a blessing they had been living under a curse. That was changing for these new believers.
In today’s verse it describes a new favor or blessing that was coming upon these generous new believers. They were now sowing from a grateful heart, not a religious obligation, they were beginning to experience the incredible favor of God upon their lives. The word used in this passage for grace is the word charis. You could say they were now under the favor or the influence of God.
This word grace is often misunderstood in today’s church world. It is often seen in a passive way, you know just a covering for my past transgressions and even a cover up for a questionable lifestyle. Grace is not passive but active. What do I mean by that? Grace has an effect on me and the circumstances surrounding me. First, grace causes me to love different things. We fall in love with Jesus and His kingdom as a result of the grace of God, our taste for the world and its system begins to fade away. Secondly, grace brings the influence and favor of God upon my life. In other words things begin to go in my direction. That may be new customers, increased productivity, new contracts, legal settlements, or any host of things. In other words the supernatural hand of God is upon you, your family, and your work. Great favor was on these early Christians and this same favor can be upon you.