As you read the book of Acts, you witness a church that was constantly growing and expanding. The early church was a church on the move, advancing the kingdom of God throughout the world. Each advancement in Acts serves as a picture of what happens when ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, move toward God’s call in their everyday lives. It’s a narrative of individuals who, despite uncertainties, responded to God’s call with generosity and action.
The collective church was so focused and unified on their mission, that they saw everything they had as a means by which to advance the gospel. This radical generosity catalyzed the early church, enabling the church to meet both spiritual and physical needs in a way that transformed the communities around them. But this generosity wasn’t limited to material possessions. They saw their jobs, their homes, their resources, their gifts, and their entire lives as something to be given away in order that the world might know the hope, power, and truth of Jesus. They opened their doors for fellowship and teaching, shared meals together, and used their diverse skills to support the growing movement. As the church expanded beyond Jerusalem, this culture of generosity facilitated its growth throughout the modern world. Churches began supporting one another in every way possible. This inter-church generosity fueled by a focused mission to go into all the world strengthened bonds and enabled the Gospel to spread more effectively.