Roman emperor Flavius Claudius Julianus (361-363), or Julian the Apostate, attempted to fight off the rapid growth of Christianity in Rome in favor of the pagan worship of Zeus. Even with the backing of the emperor, the pagan priests were frustrated by their lack of progress relative to the Christians as Julian lamented in his “Letter to Arsacius” (360):

For it is disgraceful when no Jew is a beggar and the impious Galileans [the name given by Julian to Christians] support our poor in addition to their own …

Jews and Christians were known for taking care of their own poor and disenfranchised, regardless of whether the poor shared their beliefs.

At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. ~ Deuteronomy 14:28-9 NIV

Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other. ~ Zechariah 7:10 NIV

Are believers still known for this kind of charity today? Why or why not?

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• Counterfeit: Lies We Believe About Religion
• Counterfeit: Lies We Believe About Worship
• A Desperate Cry
• Once Burned, Twice Shy

I once heard a quote from a 1st century Roman skeptic and persecutor who was instructing the Roman army on how to find Christians. How? Look for groups of people who sell everything and share everything. Ouch!

I’m in love with our God. I cannot not speak that what’s happening in many church buildings may not be all there is. I don’t feel like I have time to make mistakes or get it wrong or be either of the prodigal brothers of Lk 15  that I was in my 20′s.

God is teaching me to see Him run through great writers — He is sustaining me. I finished The Prodigal God a few weeks ago, I am finishing The Shack today and I”m half done with Crazy Love. Each is shouting “It’s about the relationship, stupid!” I can’t miss it, God is BIG. I will not be pulled into mediocrity, I will serve Him as He is, big!

For now, I immerse by unemployed soul in God’s Word, books, Christian music & worship and prayer. I pray daily for God to refine my works through the perceived threat of financial loss, like so many. I like Psalms 3 for this.

I don’t feel plugged in to any group yet, I am still searching. God bless my online friends, God bless you every one.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Counterfeit: Lies We Believe About Work
• Counterfeit: Lies We Believe About Religion
• Counterfeit: Lies We Believe About Worship
• A Desperate Cry
• Once Burned, Twice Shy