John Chrysostom

"As each had the ability, they sent." But now, none does this, although there is a famine more grievous than that. For the cases are not alike, for all to bear the calamity in common, and, while all the rest abound, for the poorer to be famishing. And the expression shows that the givers also were poor, for, it says, "as each of them had the means." A twofold famine, even as the abundance is twofold: a severe famine, a famine not of hearing the word of the Lord, but of being nourished by alms. …

Homily on Acts 25 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"Then the disciples determined, each according to his ability." Look: for them even famine becomes an occasion for salvation, an opportunity for mercy. Look: they become believers and bring forth fruits worthy of faith – they show mercy not only to those near, but also to those far away.

Commentary on Acts ↗

Bede

Now the disciples, each according to what they had, decided to send aid to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Paul. Here the disciples seem, to those who understand poorly, not to have kept the command of the Lord, where He says: Do not be anxious about tomorrow (Matthew VI), or what Paul often testifies about himself, that he worked with his own hands, so as not to burden anyone, does not seem to have followed the Lord's command to imitate the birds of the air and the …

Retractions on Acts ↗