The following comes from a 1938 Campbellite publication addressing the Acts of the Apostles and the charge that Acts 2:44-45 teaches communism (a growing threat at the time of writing)
3. "Had All Things Common." (V. 44.)
They "had" all things common. It does
not mean titles were common property; but they used property in common. Acts 5
shows this as true and, is in agreement with 2 Cor. 9:7, "According as he
purposeth in his heart." No man was or is compelled to give one penny to
God against his will. Nor is he compelled to pray or grow in grace. But failure
to do so as he is able will result in shame and eternal death. The Jerusalem
brethren still fresh from the titanic events of their great deliverance (Heb.
2:3), were filled with appreciation and love for God, consequently really loved
one another. This impelled them to underwrite the church with their property in
securing every brother family in the church.
4. "As Any Man Had Need." (V. 45.)
Communism was not practiced. Communism consists of
absolute equality of income, regardless of ability, appreciation or capacity to
use rightly. The New Testament insists the Christian brotherhood promise equal
opportunity to earn according to ability, appreciation and capacity to use
within its body of brethren. Nature and providence alone can take care of these
qualifications in the individual. The church has nothing to do with the word.
But the church must insist that the common needs of brethren be met—food,
clothing, shelter and intellectual development. The example of the Jerusalem
congregation was the pattern for all time. "As any man had need" is
the criterion for action. (C. B. Tigner, “Midweek Devotional Service [Topic for
Wednesday, January 26]: The Church Must Practice Christian Brotherhood,” Christian
Standard, January 15, 1938, 22)
