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God and My Money - Acts 5
God and My Money - Acts 5
In Acts 5, we read that Ananias and his wife joined the other believers in selling their property and sharing it with those believers who were in need, with one BIG difference. They lied about how much they were giving: they said they gave ALL of the proceeds of the sale whereas they knowingly kept back part of it. This was a deliberate lie.
Keeping part of it was NOT wrong or sinful. Peter said: “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control?” (vs. 4). They had every right NOT to sell it at all, to sell it and give all away, OR to sell and give part of it. The problem wasn’t really the money or the amount, but rather their desire for approval of men, a desire to be esteemed as generous. In most circumstances, they could lie to people and ‘get away with it’, but under NO circumstances can they lie unto God without being found guilty. The approval that they needed to seek was God’s and not man’s.
But, back to the money thing. They actually did more than most people today would do! They actually did sell their land and did give at least part of it to help those in need. This is what others also were willing to do: 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. (Acts 4:34-35) Even Barnabas was willing to do so (vs. 36-37).
What prompted such generosity of their personal properties was a simple attitude: ”And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them” (Acts 4:32).
According to Peter, it WAS their own and was under their control. Yet, while it was ‘their own’, they looked upon it as a stewardship to be used. And so it is.
| 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) |
What you have is yours to USE. Use it to the glory of God and the good of people. Truthfully, how well are you managing your worldly stuff?
Hugh DeLong
