Selling a field

After Acts 4:36-37

He heard the report

of the apostles, a release

miraculous from prison,

and he lifted his voice

with the others to sing

the psalm of praise.

He prayed with the others

and sang, his heart

overflowing with a grace

previously unexperienced.

He heard the teachings;

he saw the need. He sold

the field he owned and

laid the money at their feet,

his gift to the fellowship

and his gift to God.

A Cypriot by birth, his name

was Joseph. The apostles saw

him as a son of encouragement

and called him by another name:

Barnabas.

Photograph by Tobias Stonjeck via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Everything in common

After Acts 4:32-37

One heart, one soul

shared by all;

ownership of all things

was seen, and known, 

to belong to the One.

And seen by and known by

not just a few, or most, 

but the full number

of the believing. The joy

and jubilation of all

was seasoned by the apostles,

teaching and testifying. And

the church, the full church,

knew together the grace

upon them all.

That no one suffered want

was important;

that all experienced grace

was vital. 

Photograph by Mario Purisic via Unsplash. Used with permission.