April 12

Distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. — Acts 4:35

The law of Christian love is the law of Christian life. He who loves Christ will love his brother also. This law of love ruled in the first Christian society.

“The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul.” They were bound together as members of one family. This was not merely in sentiment, but it took a very practical form, for “not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own.”

This does not mean that all property rights were surrendered, but that if one had need the other had plenty shared what he had with him. Any case of distress of which we become aware makes its appeal to us and we must consider it. A little child was overheard saying in her evening prayer: “Lord, I saw a poor little girl today. Her feet were almost on the ground. She looked cold and hungry. But, Lord, it isn’t any of my business – is it?”

But it is our business when we find any one suffering or in distress. We are to bear each other’s burdens.