Hi, I am Claude and welcome to Acts.net.

This topics "Sharing" has 15 chapters that we will be walking through together.

Acts 4:32, Hebrews 13:16, 1 Timothy 6:18, Luke 3:11, Luke 6:38, Isaiah 58:7, Galatians 6:6, Luke 6:29-30, Romans 12:13, 1 Kings 17:8-16, James 2:14-17, Romans 1:16, 2 Corinthians 9:7, John 3:16, James 2:26

Do I really need to share?
It is my stuff, don't touch it!
If you are nice, then you can play with my stuff, ok?
Do you like to play with it? Well, no, it is her turn, ha-ha.
Why can't we share?

Is this life so negative, or do we like showing whose bossy?

In the days of Acts, everyone who could share for the group were of one heart and mind. For them, it was an easy thing to do. They gathered everything in one place and were able to help one another, so everyone could eat, have clothing, heat and so on. All this because they understood the word sharing. How can you have poor people when you have this kind of lifestyle.

Today, God is pleased when he sees people giving more than they receive. Is it so hard to give or hard to think that your hard-earned money should be going only to those who do not need it, but in return, you think they will help you? The devil loves to blind us, that we believe that our physical attachment is more important than spiritual attachment. People work and gather things every day of every month. They know very well that when we die, nothing follows with us in the next life. God knows what is right for us, but He will not force us to make the right decision. That decision is all ours, with God or away from God.

Here is something that we should be doing as Christians. Because God lives in all Christians through the Holy Spirit, we must always be careful what we say and here is why. Would you talk to God with a profane voice? If you need help finding a job, would you ask God for help and guidance? Do you talk to people like they are nothing? Let me remind you about this verse: "I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me (Matthew 25:40)." Yesterday, when you went for a walk and someone was by the fence asking for money, did you walk on the other side of the street, or did you stay on the same side and helped that person? These are the questions we should all be thinking about. God is recording everything, and He knows everything. Judgement day is coming. We need to change and help each other.

God said, "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead (James 2:26)." That verse applies equally to people rich or poor. No one can escape that verse. We help because we want to, or we take the consequences for not helping. We are not of this world even though we are in it. Even though we are not in Heaven, we are from Heaven. We have the war with the devil, and we have our battle from within. One supersedes the other in the struggle from within. Follow God, and the battle from within is won. The only war left is the one with the spiritual.

Here's some good news. We will have rewards when we get to heaven. There are many rewards. One of them is about helping others. The verse goes like this, "Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive (Luke 6:38)." God really loves when you help others and fight the devil, in Jesus' Name.

Remember to teach the newborn in Jesus. They will need guidance. For every birth, we need teachers. Without teachers, they could go in the wrong direction. Giving and helping people is a great thing to do if it comes from the heart. When you give something, never expect that person to give you a gift. If that person decides to sell that item, do not ask to give it back. When you give, it is an offering to the glory of God.

The Book of Acts was powerful with being hospitable to everyone.
Here is the dictionary definition:
"Hospitality is the relationship between a guest and a host, where in the host receives the guest with goodwill, including the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Louis, chevalier de Jaucourt describes hospitality in the Encyclopedia as the virtue of a great soul that cares for the whole universe through the ties of humanity." Interesting, though, when you consider that most people decide who they want to be hospitable to. Here is a prayer we should all think about: Dear Lord in Heaven. Please help my eyes to see You in everyone that I meet so that I can do the right thing like I would be doing if it was You in front of me. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

We are pretty much like Elijah and the lady from Zarephath, for one exception. They knew they would meet through God speaking to each one of them, that they would help each other. On the other hand, most of us do not listen to God. We pray, complain, and wait for an answer, and if it does not arrive on time, we start over by complaining and blaming God. Here a thanksgiving prayer: Dear Lord from Heaven, help my ears to hear you clearly and help me take more time in listening. Also, allow me to stop complaining and to be patient with You and anyone else. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

Here is another strong thought on sharing. It has something to do with Faith and Deeds. What it means to God. From James 2:14-17,

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear. But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."