The Early Christians Were Communists--or Communalists!?

The earliest Christian community members, who almost certainly saw themselves as Jews, seem to have lived as communists (or maybe "communalists" is a better term). Here is an amazing reading that will be used this coming Sunday, April 12th, in Catholic churches and other churches using the same readings schedule. It's from the Acts of the Apostles.

To me, this is a rebuke to our modern American approach to life. Of course, not everyone can live this way. But we should try to do it to the extent possible.

Take that, Adam Smith and your obscene "Invisible Hand"!

Reading 1ACTS 4:32-35

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.