pentecost project
Would love for all of you to consider this – great opportunity to seek God’s Kingdom. Please pass on the info as well…
The Pentecost Project is an experiment towards a more true and loving economy. Recently, the U.S. Congress passed an economic stimulus package that the President then signed. Beginning in May, most Americans will receive a rebate check that they are being encouraged to go out and spend in order to stimulate America’s sagging economy.
What if, instead of becoming greater consumers, we encouraged people to move towards an even better economy, an economy of abundance? What if, instead of accumulating more stuff, we encouraged people to give things away? What if, instead of the possibility of making a down payment and opening new credit, we encouraged people to pay down their debt?
Why the connection to Pentecost? On the day of Pentecost, after the Spirit descended on the apostles, and after Peter’s fiery preaching and the conversion of 3,000 people from all nations and races, the book of Acts goes on to tell us,
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, NIV)
Later, in the 4th chapter, we learn,
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35, NIV)
In this Spirit, we undertake the Pentecost Project: invest in others, share possessions, reduce debt.
Comments(3)
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog.
Tim Ramsey
If you were one of the folks in America who needed that money to be spent so that they could keep their jobs, you might feel that folks who spend would be in the pentecost spirit.
i think the question isn’t if we should spend money in our economy, it is where/how we spend it. I know quite a few people, for example, who are planning to use this “free money” to go on vacation. Don’t think that was the government’s intention…
that’s why i like the pentecost project’s emphasis on “invest in others, share possessions, reduce debt.” that could certainly mean helping all of those who could use the money – either by buying their product, giving food/goods to those in need, or getting out of the hole so we are free to spend our money well instead of repaying debt. I would love to see the creative ideas people have to accomplish these…