The church in the first century faced the same major challenges as the church in the twenty-first century. War, famine, and economic hardship are all documented in history and in the Bible. Then, as now, it seemed there were always more needs than resources. But Jesus taught his disciples a new way to live. He first gave himself, and then he called them to follow in his steps. As a result, Luke could report in Acts 4:32, "All the believers were of one heart…they shared everything they had...and there was no needy person among them" (Acts 4:32-34). As we approach our annual One Heart special contribution on December 8th, we ask you to begin praying now about how Jesus will call on you individually, and on us collectively, to give of ourselves so that there will be no needy person among us.