Читать книгу A Book of Gems, or, Choice selections from the writings of Benjamin Franklin - Бенджамин Франклин - Страница 48

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THE community of goods or common stock was a voluntary thing and not required, as is clear from the language of Peter to Ananias and Sapphira. Alluding to the possession he sold and the proceeds of the sale he said: “While it remained was it not thine own? and after it was sold was it not in thine own power?” Acts v. 4. There was no compulsion to do what he pretended he was doing—that is, giving the whole—no law requiring it. This case appears to have ended the whole affair. We find no more account of it, but clear allusions to liberality, to the rich and poor, etc., showing that it was not continued. There is no question but that some of the first Christians received the impression that the coming of the Lord, the resurrection of the dead and the end of the world were at hand; and the unbounded love of the gospel inspired in their hearts for God and man led them to regard their possessions as nothing. They did not believe they would need them, nor did they see the state of things that would result from their course.

Not only so, but there may have been a providence in it, as their city was soon to be destroyed and they “led away captive among all nations.” The main thing we need is the fact that it is not required of us. It ended at once and was not enjoined nor continued.