⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^(A)

¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,^(A) how can the love of God be in that person?^(B)

¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,^(A) and to be generous and willing to share.^{(B) 19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves^(C) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of^(D) the life that is truly life.

Faith and Deeds

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?^(A) Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.^{(B) 16} If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?^(C)

³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,^(A) brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet,^(B) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.^(C)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas^(D) (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.^(E)

Ananias and Sapphira

5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,^(F) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.^(G)

²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor,^(A) and you will have treasure in heaven.^(B) Then come, follow me.”

⁹ As it is written:

²⁹ The disciples,^(A) as each one was able, decided to provide help^(B) for the brothers and sisters^(C) living in Judea.