When Giving is Not Cheerful

The American industrialist, Henry Ford, was once asked to donate money for the construction of a new medical facility. The billionaire pledged to donate $5,000. The next day in the newspaper, the headline read, "Henry Ford contributes $50,000 to the local hospital." The irate Ford was on the phone immediately to complain to the fund-raiser that he had been misunderstood. The fund-raiser replied that they would print a retraction in the paper the following day to read, "Henry Ford reduces his donation by $45,000." Realizing the poor publicity that would result, the industrialist agreed to the $50,000 contribution in return for the following: That above the entrance to the hospital was to be carved the biblical inscription: "I came among you and you took me in."

Sermon Title...

Ananias and Sapphira...

This story is

In NT

most solemn

most serious

What lessons for us?

Context of Story

Acts 4:32–35 (ESV)

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. And with great power the

--

apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 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 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Many People Joining

Many needing help.

Why?

Many of these early believers were immediately cut off from family and friends by the zealous bigotry of the Jews, and it was necessary to provide them with food and shelter. - AA p. 70

Why great need?

lost jobs

lost families

lost financial foundation

People giving up

everything to be

Christian.

Leaders,

saw their sacrifice,

care for them.

Others sell their stuff

to provide for those

who gave up all.

They have a

joint treasury.

Apostles manage

the moneybag

to provide for all.

(next chapter

Deacon job).

Commune

You see why?

But How?

No more selfishness?

No more pride?

No more arrogance?

No more fighting

No more arguing?

for top place?

How?

This liberality on the part of the believers was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit. - AA p. 70

Outpouring of Spirit

great evidence of

Christian living.

This way of living.

gave more power

to their preaching.

Those who listened.

knew it wasn’t just

a show...

Satan wanted to

destroy it.

damage public testimony

hurt church!

You get context...

What is happening

Showing God’s character

clearly

distinctly.

Satan wants to

mar that.

Ananias and Sapphira

context?

Huge sacrifices

people giving up all

people losing much

other caring for them

member selling things

giving their retirement

Acts 5:1–2 ESV

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Why did that make

this decision.

What is their story?

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 7—A Warning against Hypocrisy

With others, these professed disciples had shared the privilege of hearing the gospel preached by the apostles. They had been present with other believers when, after the apostles had prayed, “the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 4:31.

Ananias and Sapphira

were not newly come

to the faith.

They were leaders.

they were among

the 120.

people looked up to them...

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 7—A Warning against Hypocrisy

Deep conviction had rested upon all present, and under the direct influence of the Spirit of God, Ananias and Sapphira had made a pledge to give to the Lord the proceeds from the sale of certain property.

It was at Pentecost

HS convicted them.

to sell property.

Came directly from God.

Acts 5:1–2 ESV

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Convicted to sell

but made public pledge

but then had regrets.

too hasty...

Promised to give

100% of sell price

Wanted to change mind.

want to keep some.

But now

embarrassed to tell

they won’t give 100%.

Decided to lie.

say this is 100%

but keep some.

They wanted

others respect

other’s admiration

keep money

be selfish

be thought of as

extremely generous.

PROBLEMS:

Public Pledge / Vow

Lie About Amount

Manipulation / Hypocrisy

A mother wanted to teach her daughter a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church "Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself," she told the girl. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given. "Well," said the little girl, "I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I'd be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did."

The Vow

Acts 5:2 ESV

and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Brings it in.

God tells Peter

Acts 5:3–4 (ESV)

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold,

--

did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

Peter’s Words:

“While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?”

In other words,

nobody

made you pledge.

required how much.

manipulated your sacrifice...

HS convicted you.

You chose to do it.

Once you pledged...

You promised God.

You vowed it.

In the movie A Vow to Cherish a husband struggles with his wife’s Alzheimer's. The most difficult thing is the fact that she doesn’t know him and he is a complete stranger to her. He kneels in front of her and pledges he will love her till the day they die. He recites the vows they had shared years earlier and the scene ends as he gently kisses her on the forehead.

God is so serious about vows.

Vows

Ecclesiastes 5:4–6 ESV

When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

Deuteronomy 23:21–23 ESV

“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.

Numbers 30:2 ESV

If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Psalm 66:13 (ESV)

I will come into your house with burnt offerings;

I will perform my vows to you,

Psalm 56:12 ESV

I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you.

Jonah 2:9 ESV

But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

KEY IDEAS ABOUT PLEDGES

Pledged are Common.

God Likes Pledges.

God Does Not Require Pledges.

God Hold Us To Our Pledges.

Tithes vs. Offerings

Tithing Still Applies Today

Tithing Predates Mosaic Covenant

Gen 14 .. - Abraham

Gen 28 - Jacob

Commanded in NT

What Is Tithe?

Tithe means 1/10th.

Tithe = 10% of income.

What is Tithe Used For?

Numbers 18:21 ESV

“To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting,

It pays the salary of

those who work

full time in ministry.

By the way,

Levites also

paid tithing

on their salary.

Where do you pay it?

Deuteronomy 12:5–6 ESV

But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.

They had

main treasury

at the sanctuary.

Did not stay

in local synagogue.

main treasury

paid priests and Levites.

Diverting Tithe

For God’s Work

Not you ideas

Not helping Friends.

There was a special tithe

for that too.

Deuteronomy 12:5–6 ESV

But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.

Once every 3 years

special tithe

in addition to regular tithe

help less fortunate.

They also had first fruits

in addition to tithing.

That means

they were giving

at least 20% of income

to God.

That was before king

that was before

other taxes.

Bad Leaders

I hear people say.

I don’t want to

give to bad leaders...

Think,

were there ever

bad leaders

in the bible?

Son’s of Aaron

Nadab and Abihu

Sons of Eli

Won’t mention...

Show me passage,

if Levites are bad,

use tithe in other way...

No such verse...

why?

Because we are not

paying tithe to

priests and Levites

but to God.

Malachi 3:8 ESV

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

God says,

if we refuse to pay tithe

we are stealing from

God himself!!!

(not Priests)

(not Levites)

(not conference)

Tithes in the NT

1 Corinthians 9:13–14 NIV

Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

1 Timothy 5:17–18 ESV

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

Those who make this

their primary work.

Paid to do it,

by the tithe...

Tithes Summary

10% of Income

Still Applies Today

Directly to Storehouse

Use to Pay Levites

Modern Day Statistics

> 25% of Church members tithe in average church.

Ours is much higher

Our Tithe is Up 10%

What Is Offering

Giving to Church

outside of 10% tithe.

It can be

Local Church.

Conf Ministries.

World Missions.

Independent Ministries.

Help those in need.

Bible Teaching about Offering

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Offering

In addition to tithe.

Optional Amount

Give with Joy

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 7—A Warning against Hypocrisy

God has made the proclamation of the gospel dependent upon the labors and the gifts of His people. Voluntary offerings and the tithe constitute the revenue of the Lord’s work. Of the means entrusted to man, God claims a certain portion,—the tenth. He leaves all free to say whether or not they will give more than this. But when the heart is stirred by the influence of the Holy Spirit, and a vow is made to give a certain amount, the one who vows has no longer any right to the consecrated portion.

We will ask you.

Consider Pledging for

the new church...

Take your pledge seriously.

It is a promise to God.

Sharing is Caring...

After Abraham Lincoln became president, before the days of civil service, office seekers besieged him everywhere trying to get appointments to various jobs throughout the country. Once, confined to bed with typhoid fever, exasperated, Lincoln declared to his secretary, "Bring on the office seekers; I now have something I can give to everybody."

Ananias and Sapphira

Back to Story

Acts 5:3–4 ESV

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

Ananias

Lied to God.

Serious result

Acts 5:5–6 ESV

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

God killed him.

sooo....

Important Points...

God takes this

really seriously.

Issues:

Vows

Lies

Hypocrisy

Same with wife.

Acts 5:7–10 (ESV)

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her,

--

“How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Both died.

Some say,

people aren’t

killed today for pledges...

Is problem not there?

Why did God kill them?

1. Guard Church

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 7—A Warning against Hypocrisy

Infinite Wisdom saw that this signal manifestation of the wrath of God was necessary to guard the young church from becoming demoralized. Their numbers were rapidly increasing. The church would have been endangered if, in the rapid increase of converts, men and women had been added who, while professing to serve God, were worshiping mammon.

...

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 7—A Warning against Hypocrisy

It was designed as a warning to the church, to lead them to avoid pretense and hypocrisy, and to beware of robbing God.

2. Warning to Us

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 7—A Warning against Hypocrisy

From the stern punishment meted out to those perjurers, God would have us learn also how deep is His hatred and contempt for all hypocrisy and deception.

Their sin

Deception

Covetousness

Greed

Desire for Applause

Hypocrisy

Their sin

is common today.

nobody dropping dead.

God still hates it.

The trouble is that too many people are spending money they haven't yet earned for things they don't need to impress people they don't like.

Lengthy Illustrations The following article is based on a sermon by missionary Del Tarr who served fourteen years in West Africa with another mission agency. His story points out the price some people pay to sow the seed of the gospel in hard soil. I was always perplexed by Psalm 126 until I went to the Sahel, that vast stretch of savanna more than four thousand miles wide just under the Sahara Desert. In the Sahel, all the moisture comes in a four month period: May, June, July, and August. After that, not a drop of rain falls for eight months. The ground cracks from dryness, and so do your hands and feet. The winds of the Sahara pick up the dust and throw it thousands of feet into the air. It then comes slowly drifting across West Africa as a fine grit. It gets inside your mouth. It gets inside your watch and stops it. The year's food, of course, must all be grown in those four months. People grow sorghum or milo in small fields. October and November...these are beautiful months. The granaries are full -- the harvest has come. People sing and dance. They eat two meals a day. The sorghum is ground between two stones to make flour and then a mush with the consistency of yesterday's Cream of Wheat. The sticky mush is eaten hot; they roll it into little balls between their fingers, drop it into a bit of sauce and then pop it into their mouths. The meal lies heavy on their stomachs so they can sleep. December comes, and the granaries start to recede. Many families omit the morning meal. Certainly by January not one family in fifty is still eating two meals a day. By February, the evening meal diminishes. The meal shrinks even more during March and children succumb to sickness. You don't stay well on half a meal a day. April is the month that haunts my memory. In it you hear the babies crying in the twilight. Most of the days are passed with only an evening cup of gruel. Then, inevitably, it happens. A six or seven-year-old boy comes running to his father one day with sudden excitement. "Daddy! Daddy! We've got grain!" he shouts. "Son, you know we haven't had grain for weeks." "Yes, we have!" the boy insists. "Out in the hut where we keep the goats -- there's a leather sack hanging up on the wall -- I reached up and put my hand down in there -- Daddy, there's grain in there! Give it to Mommy so she can make flour, and tonight our tummies can sleep! "The father stands motionless. "Son, we can't do that," he softly explains. "That's next year's seed grain. It's the only thing between us and starvation. We're waiting for the rains, and then we must use it." The rains finally arrive in May, and when they do the young boy watches as his father takes the sack from the wall and does the most unreasonable thing imaginable. Instead of feeding his desperately weakened family, he goes to the field and with tears streaming down his face, he takes the precious seed and throws it away. He scatters it in the dirt! Why? Because he believes in the harvest. The seed is his; he owns it. He can do anything with it he wants. The act of sowing it hurts so much that he cries. But as the African pastors say when they preach on Psalm 126, "Brother and sisters, this is God's law of the harvest. Don't expect to rejoice later on unless you have been willing to sow in tears." And I want to ask you: How much would it cost you to sow in tears? I don't mean just giving God something from your abundance, but finding a way to say, "I believe in the harvest, and therefore I will give what makes no sense. The world would call me unreasonable to do this -- but I must sow regardless, in order that I may someday celebrate with songs of joy." Copyright Leadership, 1983

APPEAL

Pursue Honesty

Pursue Generosity

Pursue Genuine Piety

Joyfully Fulfill Pledges