Selfish Pride

Intro

Acts 5:1–11 CSB

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the land for this price?” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

Explaining the Situation

We had a description of all of those who were selling all that they had and bringing all that they had to the disciples.

Ananias and Sapphira pick up right after hearing a description of Barnabas doing this.

They did not do what everyone else did.

They sold their piece of land, but did not bring all of the money to the disciples.

The problem was not that they decided they wanted to keep some of the money.

The problem was that they decided to act as though they were giving all of the money from the sale of the land, but secretly keep some of it back for themselves.

God Loves Cheerful Givers

The church was willingly and joyfully giving to God.

This was pleasing to God.

The manner in which they were giving was more important than how much they were giving.

The issue with Ananias and Sapphira was that they were not cheerful in their giving.

They gave likely out of peer pressure.

They gave to be like others.

They gave with selfish ambitions.

We should give to God.

2 Corinthians 9:7 CSB

Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

Our giving should be joyful and without compulsion.

Difference between compulsion and conviction.

Our giving should not be based upon what others do.

Our giving should be from a pure heart and love for God, and not with selfish motives.

Today the prosperity gospel has even messed with those who would give with an otherwise pure heart.

They give to receive.

All of these things apply to our money, but they also apply to other aspects of our faith.

Our Time

Our Abilities

Our Gifts Are for God and Not the Approval of Others

The issue is not that they didn’t give the full amount of the sale of the land, it is that they lied about it.

They acted like they gave it all, and withheld some for themselves.

Likely not a trivial amount.

This shows that their motivations were off.

Our heart is of primary importance when we relate to God.

When we give a gift, it is the “thought that counts”

What does this really mean? The heart behind the gift matters more than the gift itself.

With God, this is quite literally the case! What does God lack that we can provide?

Nothing! He is self sufficient. What we give to Him and for Him is an act of love and of obedience.

What does God desire from us?

Romans 12:1 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

We offer God ourselves as worship to God, and in turn, all the things that we own.

They wanted to “give” without the sacrifice.

They wanted to be seen as following God, without actually doing it.

God Values Authenticity

God wants you to be real in your relationship with him.

You aren’t fooling Him.

Pleasing God is about the heart of your giving and service, not as much the content of it.

However, you cannot “shortchange” God. If you know God wants you to do something, you cannot do less than that “with all your heart.”

Not all of the believers were selling their possessions and giving to others.

There were people who were benefitting from the sale of this land.

This Generation of People Value Authenticity.

They would rather you be real than uphold some ideal or standard.

Abraham and Isaac.