One of the characteristics of the early Christians was their joyful sharing of their possessions. It was not communism; it was Christian compassion. "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." Acts 2:44,45. God has not commanded us to follow their exact example, but He has encouraged us to share what we have with others. See l John 3:17.