Why do you think the believers had a change in their view of possessions? How might testifying to the resurrection relate to their new view of property ownership? Some commentators have suggested that the early church was living out the Jubilee with a voluntary redistribution of wealth (the Jubilee year in Leviticus 25 returned land to its original family).
Who takes the lead in this new economy? What could this passage say to us about reducing wealth inequity today?
During our “fast” from unnecessary home decor and furnishing purchases, what items have you refrained from purchasing to date so you have something to share? With whom have you shared the savings?
Tongue on Fire 
I have become so aware (and weary) of how much marketing I receive from stores that sell home goods. When we moved into our new home two years ago, we purchased some new furniture. My inbox is now inundated with daily promotions from Crate and Barrel, Overstock.com, CB2, Domicile and lots of places where I never purchased anything! Though I haven’t been tempted, there is still this constant drumbeat, Buy! Buy! Buy! that establishes the tenor and tempo of American consumption. On a funny note, our coffee maker died a few days into the Compact. It was still under warrantee so we got a new one for the cost of shipping. (We tried to survive on instant coffee, but just couldn’t do it.) What we saved we are giving to the Security Deposit Fund.
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Update: I just discovered (thanks to my wife) the “Unsubscribe” feature on those consumer emails! Hallelujah! Free at last! (I do feel a little stupid that I didn’t find that feature on my own, but… Thank God for Karren.)
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So here’s my running total of items I’m not purchasing to honor the Compact:
$15.00 (a frame for the photo of Soren and Elanor my niece took and developed for me in her H.S. dark room)
$12.99 (Craig Johnson’s newest book, “As the Crow Flies”)
$12.99 (AWOLNation’s album)
$50.00 (a rug for the dining room to replace the bamboo rug that has not held up)
I’ll be sending a check your way, Pastor Ray, for the Security Deposit Fund on Easter! I wonder how the list will grow between now and then.
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Why can’t you live closer to Chicago? I didn’t expect a running total, but it is awesome that you want to participate in the Security Deposit Fund. In the last two weeks, we have received $160 for the fund. It is so cool to see God’s people setting aside funds to help those at risk. It is so NT Early Church.
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The running total is for me: documentation and accountability:-)
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