Last Saturday five of us attended the Bishop's Day on the Vermont District. During our afternoon time with Bishop Weaver he led us in Bible study on Acts 2:14, 40-47 using "The Message" version of the Scripture. He gave us two questions to consider in small groups after reading the passage. What did they do? Why did they do it?

We could get very specific about the "what." The sold all their possessions. They ate together. They worshiped. More generally I would say that they lived generously. They didn't hold on to things for security. They found their security in community. They saw that their common good was linked to their individual good and vice versa. The loved each other and the world extravagantly. Even in the early days of the Christian Church this was a radical way to live. The Scripture tells us that those outside their community liked what they saw and many joined them everyday.

But why? Why live like this? Because they believed! They were challenged and inspired by the teachings of Jesus. They had received the Holy Spirit. And they had the support of their community in living this radical, new way.

When those outside look at our community what do they see? Do they see people willing to take a risk to live a new way of life because of our belief in Christ? Do they see us living generous lives loving each other and reaching out to the world? Do they see a community willing to support each other in this radical way of life? I hope so!

It is true that we are different than those early Christian described in Acts 2. We live in a different culture and face different challenges. It is also true that we are the same as those early Christians described in Acts 2. We have experienced what it is to know and be known by Christ. How are we called to live generously in our context in our day?