The ideology of sharing: apostolic community and ecclesiastical property in the early middle ages
David Ganz
The Acts of the Apostles record how church at Jerusalem grew to ‘a multitude them that believed who were one heart and soul; neither said any aught things which he possessed was his own, but they had all in common. Neither there among lacked: for as many possessors lands or houses sold brought prices laid down Apostles’ feet; distribution made unto every man according need' (Acts 4: 32, 34). While ancient philosophers discussed societies without private property, Luke's vocabulary this passage has been linked Aristotle, Christian claimed its origin it actually instituted a new attitude property: ownership replaced by singlenesss required property be shared. Luke goes on tell Barnabas fields proceeds feet Apostles, while Ananias Saphira kept their order swindle put death.
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