"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."
Acts 2:44-45
I like this idea as part of what it takes to be a Zion society. We can't let people suffer in poverty (Moses 7:18; Deuteronomy 15:4). And maybe, yeah, there are a lot of problems with trying to implement something like this, especially if it is government based rather than church- or God-based. Even so though, it doesn't mean that we can't try moving closer to the Zion ideal and finding ways to help each other, and to serve each other better. Indeed, as James explains "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, / And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" (James 2:15-16). Thinking about these things is good, but *doing* something about them is what is necessary.
Today, let's think about ways that we can move closer to being Zion-like people, and doing good to God's children. How can we help the poor and the needy? How can we assist the sick and the afflicted? What can we do individually, and how can we influence the world for good? Let's think about it, and then let's make a plan for how we are going to make a difference in our lives, even if it is just a very small step. Let's not be satisfied with just letting other people deal with it. Let's be part of the change that we would like to see in the world, and lead the way by doing something about it.
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
Acts 2:44-45
I like this idea as part of what it takes to be a Zion society. We can't let people suffer in poverty (Moses 7:18; Deuteronomy 15:4). And maybe, yeah, there are a lot of problems with trying to implement something like this, especially if it is government based rather than church- or God-based. Even so though, it doesn't mean that we can't try moving closer to the Zion ideal and finding ways to help each other, and to serve each other better. Indeed, as James explains "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, / And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" (James 2:15-16). Thinking about these things is good, but *doing* something about them is what is necessary.
Today, let's think about ways that we can move closer to being Zion-like people, and doing good to God's children. How can we help the poor and the needy? How can we assist the sick and the afflicted? What can we do individually, and how can we influence the world for good? Let's think about it, and then let's make a plan for how we are going to make a difference in our lives, even if it is just a very small step. Let's not be satisfied with just letting other people deal with it. Let's be part of the change that we would like to see in the world, and lead the way by doing something about it.
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