Generosity in Community

  • John Alwood
  • Mar 16, 2010
  • Series: Infusion Blog

blogpic_john  by John Alwood

I was given a truck this week by a wonderful couple in our church, Vicky and Al Daniels. Vicky is also on staff full-time at Infusion as administrative assistant, so we have become very good friends. I had sold my other truck several months ago, because Carol and I are on this Dave Ramsey kick of getting completely out of debt.

Carol and I, in an effort to get out of debt quicker, had decided 3 weeks ago to not purchase a second vehicle at all until our debt is completely paid off. What we would do, is pray for a truck, and trust that if God wants us to have one, he'll give us one. If not, then he won't, and I'd be perfectly happy riding my Raleigh Detour Deluxe, and the Sprinter Train (which, by the way, is a place you can meet the most interesting people).

As we were making all of these decisions, five months ago, Vicky Daniels is digging out in her garden and sees this 2000 Ford Ranger go by her house on a flatbed. Come to find out, it is her son's truck that he was getting ready to junk. She and her husband, Al, went and found out that what the truck really needed was a transmission, and some other things, but it was completely salvageable. They bought the truck, spent the last five months fixing it up, getting it running like a champ, and intended to sell it.

However, three weeks ago (yes, I said 3 weeks ago), as they were praying that God would help the truck sell, they both felt moved to give the truck to me to meet my need! They put new tires on it, installed some tool boxes on the sides because I like to build stuff, reupholstered the front seat, and got it all spiffed out for me.

Last week, they both, with huge smiles on their faces, surprised me with the keys and title to the truck. They have both told me that they believe they are happier to give this truck to me than I am to receive it. 

In Acts 2, there is a description of how the very first church functioned. It is a beautiful picture of what raw Christian community looks like in its infant state. One phrase I'd like to pick on from this passage is where Luke writes that "...all who believed were together and had all things in common. Notice that they didn't have some things in common, but "all things." What did this look like for them? "They sold their possessions and belongings, and distributed the proceeds to all as any had need." I've always felt disgusted that it seems the church is a far cry from this kind of reckless generosity where we are even willing to sell our stuff to provide for one another's needs. I've always had this kind of idealistic hope, however, that when a community of believers is actually driven by the gospel, this kind of generosity and thoughtfulness would be possible.

God gave me a glimpse of that community through the Daniels last week.