THE COMMON PURSE IN THE BRUDERHOF & HUTTERITES
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24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) Bruderhof members in
outdoor gathering. [PHOTO SOURCE: https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Bruderhof_Communities] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/02/sermons-on-hebrews-10-verse-24-to-25.html |
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Collaborative Provisioning participatory governance of 'common purse' communal unions [PHOTO SOURCE: https://communitarianunion.com/one-cloak/common-purse-provisioning/] |
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Communitarian [PHOTO SOURCE: https://intentioneers.net/category/community/ ……. https://images.app.goo.gl/wjScQ233nZ4NRXgk6] |
This is everyone’s money. Money is an expression of our own hearts. In the world today, there are many misfortunes involving money. Here, people live supporting each other. If people’s hearts become one, it is natural that money also become one and is shared by everyone. Everyone can live happily with less money than if they owned it individually. This is one wallet economy. – Accountant of the Konohana Family
Those are the words of an accountant, who is part of the Japanese Intentional Community AKA the Konohana Family, he is explaining about their One Wallet Economy. The One Wallet Economy is like the "common purse" in the Bruderhof and Hutterite Community, a Christian community, means that members share all their possessions and income, with the collective needs of the community being met from this shared resource, mirroring the practice of the early church described in Acts 2 and 4.
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The Fellowship of the Believers 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2 vs 42 to 47 (ESV) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://slideplayer.com/slide/15867780/] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/11/plain-people-and-mutual-aid-why-we-live.html |
Hutterite Founder, Jakob Hutter was sentenced to death by fire and burned at the stake on 25 February 1536 in Innsbruck in front of the Golden Roof. According to the Hutterian Chronicle, a total of 360 Anabaptists were executed in Tyrol.
However, Hutter’s legacy lives on. He had brought strong leadership to Anabaptists that had been fragmented into at least a dozen different groups. During his years as chief elder of the group, he had forged working communal groups, creating practical regulations and organizational structures for making communal life work. As a result, these groups, gained the structure they needed to live their life for Christ in community. [SOURCE: https://hutterites.org/history/death-of-hutter/]
In memory of Jakob Hutter, I will post information about the Common Purse from both the Hutterite and Bruderhof websites. I will also post several sermons and bible study on Acts 2 and Acts 4.
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They Had Everything in Common 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. – Acts 4 vs 32 to 37 (ESV) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://goodnewsshared.wordpress.com/2022/04/26/the-believers-share-their-possessions-2/] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/11/plain-people-and-mutual-aid-why-we-live.html |
Community of Goods
Hutterites live in community, that is they share all of their possessions. All members living in one colony “own” the assets of that community collectively. They work for each other and they don’t pay wages to their members. However, in lieu of wages all necessities of life are provided. So each member serves the other through their works and labour and all proceeds are shared.
The idea of Community of Goods stems from many examples found in the bible, including the following scriptures:
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily, with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:44-47)
And the multitude of them that were believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of land or houses sold them, and brought the piece of the things that were sold, And laid them at the apostles feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had needed. (Acts 4:32-35)
However, many other examples exist. For example, throughout history, God has always separated His people from the world as evidenced by the journeys of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. Jesus himself lived “in community” with his apostles. All of these examples point to God desiring His people to live separate from the world, to help & support each other, usually in some form of community.
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“Good things can always be made better.” – Karl Elsener Karl Elsener (9 October 1860 - 26 December 1918) was a Swiss cutler, inventor and entrepreneur. Karl Elsener completed an apprenticeship as a knife maker in Zug. After some journeyman years he opened a factory in Ibach, Switzerland in 1884 for the manufacture of knives and surgical instruments. He invented the Swiss army knife in 1891 and developed his knife manufacturing company into what has become Victorinox. [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=517121204109634&set=a.107645278390564] |
People often ask to what extent Hutterites share their possessions. No, Hutterites, don’t share their toothbrushes and the like. All Hutterites keep some personal possessions which include personal effects. In addition, homes are private and household items within them are considered personal, although the colony may have provided them to begin with. But the houses, garages, barns, vehicles and machinery, successes and failures are all jointly owned by all members.
SOURCE: https://7nn.010.mwp.accessdomain.com/our-beliefs/community-goods/
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Everyone helping with the annual potato harvest. [PHOTO SOURCE: https://7nn.010.mwp.accessdomain.com/our-beliefs/community-goods/] |
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For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. – II Corinthians 8 vs 9 (ESV) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1431115593692136&id=727493754054327&set=a.736544786482557] |
Community of Goods
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Community of goods and a common purse are the practical expressions of the vocation of church community. None of us receives a paycheck, stipend, or allowance from the church community. Once someone has become a member, all his or her earnings and inheritances are given to the church community, and each receives necessities such as food, clothing, and housing. Each of us is accountable to the church community for money we spend. In our homes and daily lives, we seek to live frugally and give generously, to avoid excess, and to remain unfettered by materialism. In these practical ways we wish to witness that under the stewardship of the church, everything we have is available to anybody in need. This applies especially within our church community: no Bruderhof is to be richer or poorer than another.
Acts 2; Acts 4
1
Tim 6:6–10; Heb 13:5–6
Luke 6:38;
Prov
11:24–26
Matt
13:22–23; Luke 12:13–21
Acts
4:34–35
2
Cor 8:13–15
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30 verses on sharing wealth [PHOTO SOURCE: https://bibleportal.com/topic/sharing-wealth] |
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Distinct legal entities with appropriate civil-law governance may be established to further the purposes of church community – for example, by holding title to property or operating businesses. Should any such entity ever be dissolved, however, no member would receive anything at all; any assets left would belong to the cause of Christ in church community and to the poor. The statutes of all legal bodies associated with our communities anywhere in the world reflect this understanding.
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Each Bruderhof appoints a steward to oversee its temporal affairs and to make careful provision for the welfare of every person living within it. Stewards work in close collaboration with pastoral leadership. In this, the steward is accountable to God and to the body of members.
SOURCE: https://www.bruderhof.com/foundations/life-in-community
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Selection of the seven deacons http://www.beachyam.org/secure/archive/MMM2008-Arthur.pdf https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/06/team-preaching-is-like-barn-raising.html |
Money and community
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51muYLPYe70
Acts 2 and 4
Acts 2 and 4 are foundational (or at the very least inspirational) passages from scripture for our life together in community here at the Bruderhof.
PLAYLIST: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLok9NKiaKB45-lo5rSUzl8nht1N0-WOSZ&si=NorXByG8npi2rEu6
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Although founded in 1884
as a workshop of Karl Elsener in Ibach-Schwyz Switzerland, the name Victorinox
didn't come until much later until 1921. https://www.victorinox.com/en-CH/All-about-Victorinox/History/cms/history/ |
@knajf.loverExalting Christ Through the Investment of Our Resources
August 18, 2012
A heart-searching message on possessions. This message is to encourage Christians everywhere in America to spend more on helping the needy. The kingdom calls for it. John D. Martin challenges this generation to be the most sacrificial generation.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://kingdomfellowship.org/exalting-christ-through-the-investment-of-our-resources/
https://youtu.be/c6zmDzjE5Fc?si=CZBrg86rdAqSMtU_
Community and Discipleship – Panel Discussion
August 27, 2016
Panel discussion among Matthew Milioni, John D. Martin, Dean Taylor, and Ernest Eby. How can and should community serve as a catalyst for discipleship?
Panel discussion moderated by Curt Wagoner.
https://kingdomfellowship.org/community-and-discipleship-panel-discussion/
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mT4t2swAbk
https://youtu.be/6mT4t2swAbk?si=l-0hR6pqRXJyIZoW
With One Another - Acts 2:40-47 - Skip Heitzig
Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig
Oct 20, 2015
Every week, sixty U.S. churches close their doors. The church should never need a reason to gather other than Jesus Himself, and it's at church where we learn how to be a vibrant and effective body of believers. As we study the early church in the book of Acts, we discover that as believers, we can't survive or thrive without fellowship. This teaching is from our series Where Lives Are Changed with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMx7KYbqI6s&t=29s
https://youtu.be/fMx7KYbqI6s?si=ZcPTW-IrO4xVavMS
Acts 4:23-5:42 - Skip Heitzig
Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig
Sep 29, 2017
This teaching is from our series 44 Acts - 2017 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF8GQKSPyr0&t=2104s
https://youtu.be/WF8GQKSPyr0?si=-GkGXMgPIbGvoWo5
RELATED LINKS:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14527137/Barefoot-Investor-Scott-Pape-cashless-society.html
https://www.domain.com.au/news/escape-to-scottsdale-tasmania-891738/
Opinion: 7 money-making lessons from the richest man who ever lived
https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/mill-1-timeline-fugger.htm
Money tips from history's richest man
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0Q91P8/
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Money is only a tool, not a goal. – Amish Proverb [PHOTO SOURCE: https://suzannewoodsfisher.com/amish/too-much-money/] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/07/ordnung-geldschrank-money-secrets-of.html |
ORDNUNG GELDSCHRANK LINKS:
Money is only a tool, not a goal. – Amish Proverb
ORDNUNG GELDSCHRANK – MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/07/ordnung-geldschrank-money-secrets-of.html
https://vonborstel.com/four-pillars-for-financial-success/
“The real secret of happiness is not what you give or what you receive, it’s what you share.”
“Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring --- quite often the hard way.” – Pamela Dugdale
SIBLING PARTNERSHIP – FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/05/sibling-partnership-for-family-and.html
Happiness comes from spiritual wealth, not material wealth... Happiness comes from giving, not getting. If we try hard to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also. To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter it. - John Templeton
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING FOR THE COMMUNITY
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/07/participatory-budgeting-for-community.html
A happy home is more than a roof over your head, it’s a foundation under your feet. – Amish proverb
FAMILY BANKING – DIE DREI HUNDE BANK
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/11/family-banking-die-drei-hunde-bank.html
“Savings without a mission is garbage. Your money needs to work for you, not lie around you.” – Dave Ramsey
THE ENVELOPE BUDGETING METHOD
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-envelope-budgeting-method.html
"Divide your fortune into four equal parts: stocks, real estate, bonds and gold coins. Be prepared to lose on one of them most of the time. During inflation, you will lose on bonds and win on gold and real-estate; during deflation, you lose on real estate and win on bonds, while your stocks will see you through both periods, though in a mixed fashion. Whenever performance differences cause a major imbalance, rebalance your fortunes back to the four equal parts.” – Jakob Fugger
CASH IS KING AND WHY THE WORLD WILL NOT GO CASHLESS
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/06/cash-is-king-and-why-world-will-not-go.html
The idea of the future scenarios is to help set the right course so that cash remains generally available and accepted as an attractive means of payment and store of value going forward. - Burkhard Balz, Bundesbank Executive Board Member
CASH IS KING: THE HAPPIEST BANK IN NSW & MEET THE GERMANS
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/03/cash-is-king-happiest-bank-in-nsw-meet.html
Kakeibo (家計 簿) Links:
Making more money will not solve your problems if cash flow management is your problem. - Robert Kiyosaki
https://thesamuraiseven7.blogspot.com/2023/04/my-kakeibo-journal-part-1.html
This is everyone’s money. Money is an expression of our own hearts. In the world today, there are many misfortunes involving money. Here, people live supporting each other. If people’s hearts become one, it is natural that money also become one and is shared by everyone. Everyone can live happily with less money than if they owned it individually. This is one wallet economy. – Accountant of the Konohana Family
https://thesamuraiseven7.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-one-wallet-economy-of-konohana.html
“He who laughs at one yen will weep at one yen.”
https://www.jrpass.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-japanese-yen-when-traveling
https://thesamuraiseven7.blogspot.com/2023/06/why-japan-still-uses-cash.html
It's not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for. - Robert Kiyosaki
https://thesamuraiseven7.blogspot.com/2023/04/robert-kiyosaki-on-budgeting-your-income.html
Treat people you do business with as if they were a part of your family. - Konosuke Matsushita
https://thesamuraiseven7.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-7-guiding-principles-of-konosuke.html
Aftermath: Population Zero - The World without Humans | Free Documentary
5.41M subscribers
9,273,817 views Apr 12, 2020 #FreeDocumentary #Aftermath #Documentary
Aftermath: Population Zero - The World without Humans | Free Documentary What would happen if, tomorrow, every single person on Earth simply disappeared? Not dead, simply gone, just like that. A world without people, where city streets are still populated by cars, but no drivers. A world where there is no one to fix bridges or repair broken windows…
After being on the receiving end of humanity for millennia, nature would finally be given a chance to take the world back.
But how would it work? How long would the skyscrapers and houses last if they were abandoned? How would suburban pets fare without people to feed them? How would the forests, the oceans and the wildlife react if there was suddenly an end to all the hunting, fishing and farming?
“Aftermath” is the astounding story of a world that humans will never see. The two-hour special examines the impact of human beings on this planet by proposing what the Earth might be like without people.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l11zPNb-MFg&t=332s
A strong theme of our Bible is that of continuity. “Choose life,” the Torah says. We are taught to pass our values on to our descendants, and we are taught why it is vital to have descendants. Holocaust victims survived against the odds and built new families, many of them in Israel.
Babies are beautiful, every single one. It is what we live for. With them, we build our future. Without them, there is no future.
Israel's wartime baby boom: Births on the rise as Gaza war continues
Many countries have experienced baby booms after wars. Israel may be among the first to experience a baby boom during an ongoing war.
By SHLOMO MAITAL MARCH 23, 2025 13:51
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-846682
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