In the context of the Bible, "distributions" often refers to the allocation or sharing of resources, goods, or responsibilities among individuals or groups. This concept is rooted in the principles of stewardship, charity, and communal living as outlined in both the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of distribution is closely linked to the laws and practices concerning the fair and just allocation of resources. The Mosaic Law provided guidelines for the distribution of land among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 13-21). This distribution was intended to ensure that each tribe had a portion of the Promised Land, reflecting God's promise and provision for His people.

The concept of the Jubilee year, as described in Leviticus 25, also highlights the importance of equitable distribution. Every fiftieth year, land was to be returned to its original owners, and debts were to be forgiven, ensuring that economic disparities did not become entrenched within the community.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of distribution is prominently featured in the early Christian community. Acts 2:44-45 describes how "all the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal sharing was a practical expression of the believers' unity and love for one another.

The role of deacons in the early church also underscores the importance of distribution. In Acts 6:1-6, the apostles appointed seven men to oversee the daily distribution of food to widows, ensuring that the needs of the community were met without neglecting the ministry of the Word.

Spiritual and Moral Implications

The biblical principle of distribution is not merely about the physical allocation of resources but also carries spiritual and moral implications. It reflects God's character as a provider and His desire for justice and equity among His people. Proverbs 11:24-25 states, "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

The call to generosity and the fair distribution of resources is a recurring theme in Scripture, encouraging believers to act as stewards of God's blessings. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 , Paul writes, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Practical Applications

The biblical teaching on distributions has practical applications for the church and individual believers today. It encourages the church to care for the needy, support missions, and manage resources wisely. For individuals, it serves as a reminder to practice generosity, hospitality, and stewardship in their personal lives.

In summary, the concept of distributions in the Bible encompasses both the physical and spiritual aspects of sharing and managing resources. It is a reflection of God's provision and a call to His people to live in a way that honors Him through justice, generosity, and community care.

The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
... to calm the minds of good people when tried with adversity, and to reconcile them
to the divine administration in the unequal distributions of Providence, and ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxv the good man.htm

On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop.
... That Charitable Distributions are Not to Be Made to Every Widow, But that Sometimes
a Woman Who Has a Husband is to Be Preferred: and that No Distributions are ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the character and.htm

Whether the Moral virtues Remain after this Life?
... life there will be no concupiscences and pleasures in matters of food and sex; nor
fear and daring about dangers of death; nor distributions and commutations ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the moral virtues remain.htm

Whether There is a Different Matter for Both Kinds of Justice?
... kinds. On the contrary, It is stated in Ethic. v, 2 that "one kind of justice
directs distributions, and another commutations.". I ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is a different.htm

Of Querulousness.
... He is always inveighing against such unequal distributions, where the best services
(such you may be sure his own are) are the worst rewarded: nor does he ever ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section x of querulousness.htm

Concerning Common and Distinctive Theology, and what is the Divine ...
... and taking to itself many forms, is also a Divine distinction, yet, common within
the Divine distinction, are the resistless distributions, the substance-giving ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput ii concerning common and.htm

True Repentance a Thing Divine, Originated by God, and Subject to ...
... [8425] And so He gathered together a people for Himself, and fostered them with
many liberal distributions of His bounty, and, after so often finding them most ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter ii true repentance a thing.htm

section v.
... must reconcile those unanswerable doubts that torment the wisest understandings;
and reduce those seeming inequalities and respective distributions in this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section v.htm

Excuses Commonly Urged in Defence of Second Marriage their ...
... to be "with the Lord?" [571] Assuredly, most free will he be from encumbrance in
persecutions, most constant in martyrdoms, most prompt in distributions of his ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter xii excuses commonly urged in.htm

To Mrs. Sarah ) Mrs. Mary And) Abney, Mrs. Elizabeth )
... Remember what God himself will expect at your hands, from whose Grace you have
received plentiful Distributions in the Beginning of your Days. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/divine songs for children/to mrs sarah mrs.htm

Distributions (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Distributions (2 Occurrences). Hebrews 2:4 God
bearing, besides, witness with them to it, both by signs ...
/d/distributions.htm - 7k

Distribution (32 Occurrences)

/d/distribution.htm - 18k

Joint-witness (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing joint-witness both with signs and wonders, and manifold
powers, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to His will. (YLT). ...
/j/joint-witness.htm - 6k

Distributor (1 Occurrence)

/d/distributor.htm - 6k

Gift (148 Occurrences)
... Revised Version (British and American) "grace"); merismos, "distribution," "parting"
(Hebrews 2:4, the Revised Version, margin "distributions"); anathema, "a ...
/g/gift.htm - 59k

Besides (178 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 2:4 God bearing, besides, witness with them to it, both by signs and wonders,
and various acts of power, and distributions of the Holy Spirit ...
/b/besides.htm - 37k

Acts (271 Occurrences)

/a/acts.htm - 101k

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