One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Acts 11:28-30

Agabus, a legitimate New Testament prophet (see the prior blog post about true and false prophets) foretold a famine. And sure enough it took place. It rather reminds me of Joseph in Egypt as recorded in Genesis. There is one major difference, however. In Genesis, the government taxed the people during a time pf plenty (Genesis 41:34), and sold the people what they had paid in taxes during the times of want (Genesis 41:56). While preparing for the famine was wise, selling the people what they had paid in taxes, and reducing the population to a nation of slaves (Genesis 47:19-20), I do not believe was right or according to God’s will. Reread that portion of Genesis and think about it.

Instead, in Acts, the Church did what was most certainly God’s will. The people gave—freely, to help those less fortunate. This collection for the needy was one of Paul’s major emphases during his travels in the rest of Acts (see 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15).

Paying taxes is not charity. We must pay taxes, but we must also be charitable.

And let we who have so much never forget those who, through no particular fault of their own, have so little.