→ Home → Serving → Devoted to Fellowship vs. 42, 44-45

Why is sharing in fellowship so important?

The first followers of Jesus shared their new life in Christ together. True fellowship means sharing. They shared joy and sorrow. They shared food and friendship. They shared homes and hospitality. They shared money and misery.

Jesus' followers have faced rejection by family and culture in almost every generation. Some families disown or "put out" a relative who becomes a follower of Jesus. Some cultures have taken property, livelihood, and means of support away from Jesus' followers. So how are they going survive? The first followers of Jesus dedicated themselves to each other. When some were impoverished or lacked shelter, they provided food, money, and a place to live. When they were imprisoned, they visited and cared for each other. When there were widows or orphans among them, they cared for them.

To be a follower of Jesus means to care for each other just as Jesus has cared for us. In fact, if we can't love and care for each other, how can we claim to love Jesus? Jesus wants his followers to know that fellowship — true sharing of our lives — means a lot more than handshakes and pats on the back. It means taking care of each other and loving one another in actions, not just words. A true follower of Jesus is going to also be a true brother or sister to other followers of Jesus in genuine, practical, and sacrificial ways.