Reformed Wisdom

On Acts 5:4 –

“Not in common possession, but in common use. Plainly the property belonged to some and not to others. This providential inequality gave room for the exercise of such a precious Christian grace, as it cannot be exercised in heaven. The charm of it was in the light in which they regarded their property – not contending about the ‘mine’ and ‘thine’ – not oppressing a poor brother – not aiming at laying up treasures and acquiring riches to hoard; but holding all that they had at the demand of each other’s necessity, and on the principle that the goods belonged to those who had need, just so far as God had cast the needy brethren upon their care and resources. And so this mutual aid was cheerfully and universally carried on” – Melancthon W. Jacobus, Notes – Critical and Explanatory – on the Acts of the Apostles, 117.