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January 30 Daily Devotional

Thine Is My Heart: Devotional Readings from the Writings of John Calvin

John Calvin (compiled by John H. Kromminga)

Bible Text:

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold. —Acts 4:34

Devotional

Hereby it appears what it means that no man counted anything as his own, but they had all things common. For no man had his own privately to himself, that he alone might enjoy it, neglecting others; but as need required, they were ready to bestow upon all men.

And now we must needs have more than flinty hearts, seeing that we are no more moved with the reading of this history. The faithful at that day gave abundantly even of that which was their own, but we are not only content at this day wickedly to suppress that which we have in our hands, but also rob others.

They simply and faithfully brought forth their own; we invent a thousand subtle shifts to draw all things unto us by hook or crook. They laid it down at the apostles' feet; we fear not with sacrilegious boldness to convert that to our own use which was offered to God. They sold in times past their possessions; there reigns at this day an insatiable desire to buy.

Love made that common to the poor and needy which was proper to every man; such is the unnaturalness of some men now that they cannot abide that the poor should dwell on the earth and that they should have the use of water, air, and heaven. —Commentaries


John Calvin was the premier theologian of the Reformation, but also a pious and godly Christian pastor who endeavored throughout his life to point men and women to Christ. We are grateful to Reformation Heritage Books for permission to use John Calvin's Thine Is My Heart as our daily devotional for 2013 on the OPC Web site. You can currently obtain a printed copy of that book from Reformation Heritage Books.

Dr. Joel Beeke, who is editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, has this to say:

"Calvin shows us the piety of a Reformed theologian who speaks from the heart. Having tasted the goodness and grace of God in Jesus Christ, he pursued piety by seeking to know and do God’s will every day. He communed with Christ, practicing repentance, self-denial, and cross-bearing. Moreover, his theology worked itself out in heart-felt, Christ-honoring piety. The selections of this devotional bear this out, and hopefully will be used by God to direct pious hearts in our own day."

These devotional readings from John Calvin were compiled by John H. Kromminga. Be sure to read his "Introduction" to John Calvin's Thine Is My Heart.

 

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