Radical Generosity: Stewardship and Unity in Christ

The early church in Acts provides a powerful example of radical generosity and unity. The believers were of one heart and soul, holding nothing back from one another, and sharing all they had for the sake of the gospel and the needs of the community. This wasn’t a legalistic requirement, but a natural outflow of their deep commitment to Christ and to each other. They understood that everything they possessed ultimately belonged to God, and they were simply stewards entrusted to use His resources for His purposes.

Reflecting on personal experiences of loss and provision, it becomes clear that dependence on God is often most vivid in times of need. When there is little to rely on but God Himself, it’s easier to recognize that all we have is from Him and for Him. The first-century church lived this out, not just in word but in deed, selling property and possessions to ensure no one among them was in need. Their giving was sacrificial, not out of obligation, but out of love and unity in the mission of Christ.

The biblical principle of stewardship means that we are managers, not owners, of what God has given us. This understanding transforms how we view our finances, our possessions, and even our time and talents. The early church’s generosity was rooted in their shared vision and mission, and their giving was a tangible expression of their unity and faith. They didn’t designate their gifts for specific purposes or hold back out of fear; instead, they trusted the leaders God had placed over them and gave freely for the advancement of the kingdom.

Today, the call remains the same. The church is to be a place where needs are met, both spiritually and physically, and where the love of Christ is demonstrated in practical ways. This is not about earning God’s favor or buying our way into heaven—salvation is a gift through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Rather, our giving is a response to God’s grace, a way to participate in His work, and a reflection of where our hearts truly are. The challenge is to examine whether our giving matches our professed commitment to God’s mission, and to remember that loving God and loving our neighbor requires action, not just words.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Stewardship Means Everything Belongs to God Recognizing that all we have—our money, possessions, relationships—belongs to God changes our perspective on giving. We are not owners, but stewards, entrusted to use God’s resources for His purposes. This mindset frees us from clinging to what we have and opens us to radical generosity, just as the early church demonstrated. [13:44]
• 2. Sacrificial Giving Flows from Unity and Mission The early Christians were united in heart and soul, and their sacrificial giving was a direct result of their shared commitment to Christ’s mission. They didn’t give out of legalistic obligation, but because they were fully invested in the gospel and the needs of their community. True unity in the church is revealed not just in what we say, but in how we give together for God’s work. [21:46]
• 3. Our Money Follows Our Heart Where we invest our resources reveals what we truly value. Jesus taught that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If our hearts are set on God’s kingdom, our giving will reflect that priority, supporting the ministries and missions that advance the gospel and care for others. [27:55]
• 4. The Church’s Role in Meeting Real Needs Historically, the church was the primary provider of care for the poor, sick, and vulnerable. While government programs now play a major role, the church is still called to meet tangible needs in the community as an expression of Christ’s love. Practical acts of service—feeding the hungry, helping the struggling—open doors for the gospel and demonstrate the reality of God’s love. [31:04]
• 5. Giving Is a Response to Grace, Not a Means to Salvation No amount of giving can earn us a place with God; salvation is a gift received by faith in Jesus Christ. Our generosity is a response to the grace we’ve received, not a way to buy God’s favor. The call is to give cheerfully and sacrificially, trusting God to use our gifts for His glory and the good of others. [37:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Review of Acts 3-4: Boldness and Obedience
• [04:30] - Introduction to Acts 4:32-37 and the Topic of Giving
• [07:15] - Personal Story: God’s Provision in Poverty
• [11:40] - Everything Belongs to God: The Principle of Stewardship
• [13:44] - What It Means to Be a Steward
• [15:30] - Radical Generosity of the Early Church
• [18:20] - Old Testament Tithing vs. New Testament Giving
• [21:46] - Sacrificial Giving, Not Legalistic Obligation
• [23:18] - How Early Church Offerings Supported Ministry
• [25:50] - Giving Unites the Church and Advances the Kingdom
• [27:55] - Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be
• [31:04] - The Church’s Role in Community and Welfare
• [34:30] - The Purpose of Church Giving and Kingdom Work
• [37:44] - Salvation by Grace, Not by Giving
• [40:00] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Acts 4:32-37 (ESV) — > 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
> 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
> 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
> 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
> 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
> 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV) — > 1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
> the world and those who dwell therein,
> 2 for he has founded it upon the seas
> and established it upon the rivers.

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) — > 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
> 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
> 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 4:32-37, what actions did the early believers take to meet the needs within their community?
2. In Psalm 24:1-2, what does the psalmist say about ownership of the earth and everything in it?
3. What does Jesus teach about treasure and the heart in Matthew 6:19-21?
4. In the sermon, what was the difference between Old Testament tithing and New Testament giving as practiced by the early church? [18:20]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the early church was able to practice such radical generosity and unity? What motivated them to share everything in common? [13:44]
2. How does understanding that “everything belongs to God” change the way a person might view their money, possessions, or even their time? [13:44]
3. The sermon mentioned that the early church’s giving was not out of legalistic obligation but out of love and unity in Christ’s mission. How does this contrast with giving out of duty or guilt? [21:46]
4. What does it mean for a church to be “united in heart and soul,” and how is this unity shown in practical ways according to the passage and the sermon? [07:15]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared a personal story about losing everything and learning to depend on God’s provision. Have you ever experienced a time when you had to rely on God for your needs? How did that affect your view of what you own? [11:40]
2. The early church didn’t hold back or designate their gifts for specific purposes—they trusted the leaders and gave freely. Is it hard for you to give up control over how your resources are used? Why or why not? [15:30]
3. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If someone looked at your bank statement or your calendar, what would they say you value most? Is there anything you feel challenged to change? [27:55]
4. The sermon pointed out that the church historically cared for the poor, sick, and vulnerable. What are some practical ways our group or church could meet real needs in our community? [31:04]
5. The pastor emphasized that giving is a response to God’s grace, not a way to earn salvation. Do you ever struggle with feeling like you have to “earn” God’s favor? How can you remind yourself that salvation is a gift? [37:44]
6. The early church’s generosity was rooted in their shared vision and mission. How invested do you feel in the mission of our church? What would it look like for you to be “all in” with your time, talents, or finances? [21:46]
7. Loving God and loving our neighbor requires action, not just words. What is one specific step you can take this week to show generosity or meet a need—either in the church or outside of it? [40:00]