As the Holy Spirit moves in our lives during the daily communion of fellowship (AKA abiding in Christ or walking in the Spirit), He will direct us to do various things. However, the concept of agency comes into play with a few stipulations:
1) Provisions
2) Seasons
If you look more deeply at Acts 2:45 and study some of the language you will see that the properties and possessions were excess. The word possessions in the Greek implies wealth, which is slightly less obvious in the English. God had provided the excess for just such a use. The other side is that sometimes we’re in the season or time in our life where we’re the recipient. Sometimes that changes from one day to the next, and sometimes that changes over years. If you look at Ephesians 2:10 you’ll see that the opportunities to do good works are prepared before hand, and if you’re abiding, you’ll do those things. If you’re not abiding, you’re justified and so your ledger account shows Christ’s righteousness in your stead there. The body grows due to the needs and fulfillment of those needs - needs are good and having the fulfillment of the need is good - but its orchestrated by God. Don’t look to fill every need, but don’t be embarrassed by your needs because they’re often from God for edification of the body.

In short you shouldn’t have to beat yourself up for these things and instead focus on the daily relationship with our bride-greem. You can read a bit more about the concept of stewardship and agency in the PDF I created here if you’re interested. It’s part of a greater study on the Body and the Believer [which is currently going on as of the this writing, so you'll find there are only 5 or so handouts in that series right now].

Saying that I agree with that is easy because it’s pretty black and white in my mind: God said it, I believe it.

But what’s trickier, at least in my mind, is understanding how this works in day-to-day life. You have a friend who has a need–how much/often do you help them? Do you do it anonymously or not? How many of your friends can/should you do this for and how often? Saying that there are needs within the body, and that the body should meet them, is true and wise. Yet I kind of feel like that gives me more questions.

Like with other day-to-day matters, I look at the doctrinal principles: God commands us to love others. God commands us to give generously (which, let’s be honest, is very subjective). So I want to fulfill that as best I know how, while also fulfilling other commands: being a good steward of my money to plan for the future, being financially responsible to pay for my needs and not burden someone else, etc. And then I come up with whatever amount I can/should give, as best I know how.

What do you think? These thoughts are a little random, I guess.

have you read Francis Schaeffer? you’d like his True Spirituality, I think.

And I have a case of paper from a certain company you know of that was dissolved that Miss N now uses to color on. Then it goes in the recycle bin. I am doomed when she realizes that their are characters out there with coloring books. HA HA.