Safe and Trusting in Whom

I live in the western suburbs of Chicago. The other night we went to dinner honoring a friends birthday at an upstairs venue with a very nice shop with lots of expensive things downstairs. The dinner party went late into the evening.

There was no one downstairs. Door open. No one watching the store. Anyone off the street could have come in and stolen hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise and gotten away.

But no one did. I have lived in Illinois 20 years and have not been assaulted, robbed, or shot at while living here. When I lived in North Dakota I was subjected to all 3.

In North Dakota we had to keep things locked up because there were thieves about.

I only mention this because the idea that one place is safer than another is more based on the character and spirit of the people than the name of the state. It's not safer in a place with people who don't share your values. They believe it's ok to rob you because you deserve it. Or put another way, they deserve to have what you've got. That's not my value system. I'm guessing it's not yours.

I'm constantly astounded by the fact that many who live in our area never lock their doors at night. Cars open. High priced stuff left outside. And no one steals it. People just don't bother to steal. Why? They already have all they need.

In the Bible there is talk of a time in the book of Acts 2:44-47 when people held all things in common and no one had need of anything. We assumed it was because there were a few rich and the rest were needy. That the rich shared with the poor. That's the way it is in lots of Churches today. A few have money, those with less look at them and long for the days of Acts 2. But, I have another take on that scripture.

What if all things are held in common and no one had any need because God prospers his people in goods (Propsperity) and Spirit (Values and Character) so much that no one ever needs or would think of taking anything. Could that be?

I know a pastor who from time to time would conduct a service in his Church, never announced. He would ask people to bring money for the poor and place it on the altar. People would respond. Sometimes $15,000 would be laid on the altar. Then, the pastor would tell those who had needs to come and take what they needed. Some would. Many would be needy but not wanting to be greedy would refrain. Sometimes Sam the pastor would take money and pick it up giving it to a single mother with kids who he knew had serious needs. That's certainly the Acts 2 situation. Let's take that a litttle further. I would like to believe that at some very soon point that mother found ways to enter into God's provision and was able to be a channel of blessing next time Sam called for the offering of help.

Maybe that's the real plan of God. Deut 8:18

Maybe it will happen again. I can believe for that. I will believe for that.