Economic Love as an Act of Worship

This week we have a special treat for you! I am excited to share with you a convicting and compelling post to wrap up our discussion on community and economic resilience this month from a pastor at one of our LoveINC partner churches, Jerry Waggener.

Jerry has been ministering in the Portland metro area since 1988 and for many years now has served as a pastor at Connection Church in Oregon City. He brings decades of personal experience serving in the community and leading as a pastor.

On top of that, Jerry recently spent several weeks preaching on Acts and teaching his congregation on how the example set for us in Luke’s account can shape and guide us in the modern day Church. So this blog post comes out of his labors for his congregation and is a compelling call for the Church.

-Travis, General Editor

By Jerry Waggener

A few months ago at church, we walked through a series called “Stronger Together.” We took a close look at the early church, especially what we see in the book of Acts.

Acts 2:42-47 NLT

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Now, as a pastor—and really, just as a follower of Jesus—I can’t help but be moved when I read that. The early church wasn’t just about gathering for teaching, prayer, and worship—though they absolutely did all of that. Their faith was so real, so alive, that it reached into every part of their lives.

They didn’t hold on tightly to their stuff. They didn’t see their possessions as “mine” and “yours.” No, they shared what they had, sold what they didn’t need, and made sure that anyone who was struggling got the help they needed. It wasn’t charity out of obligation. It was love. Deep, sacrificial, Christlike love.

And here’s what gets me: loving your neighbor as yourself didn’t just mean being kind or polite. It meant meeting real needs—even financial ones. And it still does.

As followers of Jesus, we are all called to live out that same kind of love today—a love that goes beyond words, a love that shows up in real, tangible ways.

The early church gives us a powerful example. They understood something we need to get deep down in our bones: everything we have—our money, our possessions, our skills—they’re not just for us. They’re gifts from God, meant to be used to bless others.

When we start to think like that, it changes the way we live. It creates a culture where nobody gets left behind. Can you imagine what would happen if the Church today truly lived like that? If our churches made sure no one around us went without food, without shelter, without opportunity?

That’s the kind of witness that would shake a city.

Back in Acts, loving their neighbor meant selling property so that others could survive. For us today, it might look like covering a neighbor’s utility bill, teaching someone how to handle their finances wisely, supporting a struggling local business, or even speaking up for fair policies that help the vulnerable.

It’s all part of the same heart: economic love as an act of worship.

And let’s be real: this kind of living doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality. It takes courage.

It means opening our eyes to the needs right in front of us—the single mom barely getting by, the senior on a fixed income, the new family in a community trying to find their footing. It means asking ourselves a tough question: Are we trusting God enough to be generous?

The early church makes it clear: loving people economically isn’t just some “nice extra” we tack on—it’s right at the heart of what it means to be a Spirit-filled community. Their love backed up their message, and because of that, God kept adding to their community.

Now, I’m not saying it’s easy. Being generous costs something. Change doesn’t come overnight. But when we step into this kind of obedience, it’s powerful.

We’ll see families stabilized.

We’ll see hope restored.

We’ll see faith deepened.

So let’s pray—for the wisdom to see needs clearly and the courage to respond boldly. Let’s be challenged to move beyond just talking about love—to living it.

When we do that, we honor the God who gave everything for us. And we open the door for others to experience His abundant life.