Jesus says to Nicodemus, "If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things?" In the same way, if we cannot share and use common goods while on earth, how will we share eternal life with others later in heaven?

After the resurrection of Jesus, the whole group of believers was united in heart and soul and was so inspired by the Holy Spirit to the point that no one claimed anything for their own use; everything they owned was held in common. Those who were in want were helped by others in the community. They depended on each other, and thus no one was in need because they looked after each other's needs.

Jesus did live in communal sharing with his disciples as implied by the Gospel of John, where it is mentioned that Judas Iscariot held the common purse (Jn. 13:29).

I am not saying that we should go back to the practice of the early Christian community, but that we should depend on each other for spiritual and material support. As a Church, we can do this to provide the necessary as the family of God while here on earth so that we can participate more fully in the communal life of heaven to come.

Lord, teach me to be generous and to give without counting the cost.