There was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale,

And so it was that Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "One who Encourages"),

But there was a man named Ananias, who with his wife Sapphira sold some property that belonged to them.

But with his wife's agreement he kept part of the money for himself and turned the rest over to the apostles.

The disciples decided that they each would send as much as they could to help their fellow believers who lived in Judea.

Sell all your belongings and give the money to the poor. Provide for yourselves purses that don't wear out, and save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief can get to them, and no moth can destroy them.

For your heart will always be where your riches are.

And Jesus went on to say, "And so I tell you: make friends for yourselves with worldly wealth, so that when it gives out, you will be welcomed in the eternal home.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "There is still one more thing you need to do. Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me."

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Listen, sir! I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much."

He gives generously to the needy, and his kindness never fails; he will be powerful and respected.

Some people spend their money freely and still grow richer. Others are cautious, and yet grow poorer.

Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped.

When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back.

Invest your money in foreign trade, and one of these days you will make a profit.

Put your investments in several places---many places even---because you never know what kind of bad luck you are going to have in this world.

Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.

When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond. "If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil word;

And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things. I will keep you strong and well. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring of water that never goes dry.

There is really no need for me to write you about the help being sent to God's people in Judea.

As the scripture says, "He gives generously to the needy; his kindness lasts forever."

Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others.

In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life.

My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you?

What good is there in your saying to them, "God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!"---if you don't give them the necessities of life?

And now, you rich people, listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you!

Your gold and silver are covered with rust, and this rust will be a witness against you and will eat up your flesh like fire. You have piled up riches in these last days.

Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter.

If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?