ECONOMY OF STIMULUS
Acts 4: 31 - 33 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
“I have …”, “Look at my new …”, “Some day when my ship comes in …”, “When my rich uncle gets out of the poor house …”, are the words of loving, joyous, peaceful, longsuffering, gentle, good, faithful, meek, and temperate people of God! (Ha!!)
Is God happy with our stewardship? How often do we consider the truth of our possession or the provision for our personal economy? One prerequisite is necessary for real economic stimulus, the stimulus of the Holy Ghost in our life! When these Christians were filled with the Holy Ghost they continually spoke the word of God with boldness, were of one accord, and realized they owned nothing. When we give God preeminence and empty out ourselves the Holy Ghost can fill the empty void. How else can we be filled? How, if our heart is cluttered with selfishness, greed, and sinful desires? The Holy Ghost is no possessor. The Holy Ghost is no devilish, consuming, alcoholic sensory depressant, or inhibition suppressant. The Holy Ghost will not force intrusion. Rather, the Holy Ghost is an invited guest of God. And, just as we may give a trusted guest the keys to our home, so too should we give the Holy Ghost access to our hearts. These Christians prayed for boldness to speak God’s word. God answered their prayer in a mighty way and provided abundantly. Not only were they filled with the Holy Ghost to speak the word boldly but received the material way and means to do so.
How can we know when we are filled with the Holy Ghost? What sign of God can we see of the Holy Ghost in our lives? It is certainly not the sign of vain action, incomprehensible babbling, or inappropriate behaviors. But, it is a want, desire, and ability to witness to others, and making the way of witness possible. When speaking the truth of the gospel to a stranger and it becomes natural, without fear, hesitation, or self-consciousness, then it is the nature of God, and we can be sure we are filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 5: 32 speaks of the Holy Ghost being given to them that obey God. Are we in obedience when we disallow God’s commandments, disregard His word, and step warily and merely to the threshold of The Throne in prayer? Everyone has trepidations, fears, and disabilities. Once we surrender and go, then we discover the fullness of God. Beware Satan’s snares; “signs” of chaos, disharmony, confusion, and lack of control, are not evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost, but signs of us being full of ourselves.
There is a stimulus package of God’s design. It is not about redistribution of wealth. In reading Acts chapter four some may imagine this is the meaning to the scripture. It isn’t about redistributing our wealth to the needy, but about us being needy and God having already provided abundantly. Verse 32 makes it abundantly clear that “ought of the things”, or nothing of the things, we possess are our own. We own none and nothing! It belongs to God from the beginning to the end of time. We simply bask in the benevolence of God’s favor. God’s stimulus package for us is to follow the example of God. Christ is the greatest of commanders and captains. He asks nothing of us He himself would not be willing to do, do with us, or do for us. God created and owns everything from the smallest thing to the greatest in this universe of universes. Yet, God gave it all for us. God gave! Can there be any greater statement. God gave all of His body, spirit, and soul. Can there be any greater example? The economy of God is giving. God’s stimulus package is giving. Are we on a course toward a renewed understanding in these days?
Some “Christians” give with the will and intention of receiving gain. They expect God will reward selfish giving. When we give to get we are simply investing in a program of dividend for our own gain. If our attitude is to gain something for ourselves, be sure God is not in it and the role of the Holy Ghost, if resident, is to convict us of our sin.
Though the definition of being filled with the Holy Ghost is to be fully surrendered to God in soul, spirit, and body there is another kind of filling we have all evidenced. The other filling is that of conviction. We might be consumed, cognizant, and full of the Holy Ghost’s reprimands, convictions, and reproofs, but the Bible calls this grieving, not filled with, the Holy Ghost. Many of us know more about grieving the Holy Ghost than filled with the Holy Ghost. Should it be this way? Is our global economy leading us down the path of correction to an understanding of the economy of stimulus? Must God bring economic destruction to the world to “encourage” believers to their knees in prayer so we are all filled with the Holy Ghost?
Look what God did for the early church. They were commanded by the world not to preach in Jesus’ name. Persecution, trial, and threatening, brought harmony, accord, and voice to the church. Some might say, and scripture supports, that we are living in the late days of the church age. How is preaching, praying, and teaching in Jesus’ name received today? God is bringing us to a greater sensitivity of the Holy Ghost in our lives. God is wiping away the grit and grime of Satan’s influence between us and our vision of God’s design. Boldness is returning to the voice of Christians. Boldness is the surest sign of being filled with the Holy Ghost; boldness to speak the word of God.
The economy of stimulus for Christians is being filled with the Holy Ghost. Is there coming a revisit to the day in which the community of believers is once again all filled with the Holy Ghost, boldly speaking the gospel, of one heart and of one soul? But, isn’t that the way of it for past centuries? When was the last time thousands every day came to know Christ through a single body of believers? Certainly, if you take the church as a whole it is a staggering number, but this was about one church, newly formed and growing daily; the church at Jerusalem. Where is the boldness of believers today? How many of the people boasting of being filled with the Holy Ghost speak boldly the gospel and lead souls to Christ? Those who boast are not usually filled. How many of us would dare be filled with the Holy Ghost, not to boast but to be bold?
Have we taken advantage of God’s stimulus package?
Through the Holy Ghost we can give as God gives.
Acts 3: 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
What did Peter give?
Acts 3: 8, 9 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
