Acts 2:9-11 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

So many times we hear this tale of the events on the day of Pentecost but do we look to the special circumstance of the event? This is the lists of regions of the known world where Jews came to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. God used this special circumstance to speak to the faithful as only God can.

The very next verse ends with the question, what does this mean? Having been faithful Jews did not mean they understood the Gospel, the Good News. These men came from long distances with a plan to stay for a day or two and then return home. Those plans changed that day. They stayed to hear the Apostle’s tale of Jesus Christ, to hear, understand, and believe their witness.

This many men would put a tremendous strain on any church’s resources. The cost of housing and feeding this many men for any length of time would be costly, the need great. These men would leave Jerusalem with instructions in Christ and spread the Gospel in the home territories. The early church would need a jump start.

Acts 2:44-45 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

This is how God made provision for that special circumstance. It happened once, to jump start a fledgling church which had few numbers and had great need. Ever since that day, the Gospel has been spread and the church has grown and resources have grown. Sadly there are men of enticing words who will use this gospel to guilt believers into giving beyond that which God asks, because this present days’ circumstances are not THAT special.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Look to your heart to discover what God has purposed for you to do.