Only Christians can be true socialists. Christians can only give one time because from then on evrything belongs to everybody. Makes you wonder why Christ would say, "A strong man armed keepeth his palace" (or "home" in some translations). Maybe Jesus should have looked up Paul and got some re-education.

One would have to agree that this was a unique time. When you examine the remainder of the Book of the Acts of the Apostoles you see that the early church was severely persecuted. Israel was in upheaval and political chaos. Jews were beginning to be despised by Romans and others of the Empire. Paul, at times had to take time out and work at his trade, that of a tent maker. He gathered donations from around the Mediterranean to help out those bretheran who apparently started off with no wants but ended up needing elyomasonary relief (alms). What happened to this wonderful system of shared communal living? And just because it was used by the apostles does that put a holy imprint upon it?

Were these early Christians right wingers or left wingers and how do you know? I submit they were neither but they WERE looking for the immiment return of Christ. Throughout history since that time we have had groups of people so sure that the Second Advent was at hand they have done what? They have sold everything gone out and stood on hilltops expecting to see Christ decending.

As far as the early Christians' modus and social organization, esepecially in this passage, it ought to be de-emphasized. This "poem" is a shining example of text-lifting and perverting scripture to fit one's ideological concern while completely missing the message.