How did the poor saints in Jerusalem survive after giving everything away?
They first lived off the common fund created when they sold land, houses, and possessions, expecting the Kingdom. When it did not come, God providentially sustained them through offerings from Paul's Gentile converts, brought to Jerusalem, since many visiting strangers could not work or afford ship fare home.
Les explains that Paul was always instructed to remember the poor saints in Jerusalem because they had given everything away. In Acts chapter 2 and 3, in light of the Kingdom, they cashed in assets, sold their land and houses, and put it all into a common kitty. But the Kingdom did not come, because it had been rejected. Many had come from places like Babylon and Rome for Passover or Pentecost, got involved, gave what they had, and did not even have ship fare home. They lived off the kitty, and as strangers they did not or could not work. God in His providence took care of them through the offerings of Paul's converts from Gentiledom, brought back to Jerusalem. Paul also ordered the churches of Galatia and Corinth to collect on the first day of the week, Resurrection Day, not the seventh day Sabbath.
More Questions
What happened to the poor saints who gave everything?
The poor saints gave what they had and were left without even ship fare home.