sermon 3/30/25

Our Offering as Worship

Acts 5:1–11 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. 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.” 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. 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. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

The Acts of the Apostles Trouble in the Church (Acts 5:1–11)

Peter insists that sin is sin against God. We do well to remember that, particularly in certain directions. (1) Failure in care and true application is sin against God. Everything, however humble it may be, that contributes to the health, the happiness and the welfare of humanity is work done for God. Antonio Stradivari, the great maker of violins, said: ‘If my hand slacked, I should rob God.’ That is a motto for us all to take. (2) Failure to use our talents is sin against God. God gave us such talents as we have; we hold them in stewardship for him; and we are responsible to him for the use we make of them. (3) Failure in truth is sin against God. When we slip into falsehood, it is sin against the guidance of the Spirit in our hearts.

Storehouse Tithing. Storehouse tithing is a scriptural and practical performance of faithfully and regularly placing the tithe into that church to which the member belongs.

Therefore, the financing of the church shall be based on the plan of storehouse tithing, and the local Church of the Nazarene shall be regarded by all of its people as the storehouse. All who are a part of the Church of the Nazarene are urged to contribute faithfully one-tenth of all their increase as a minimum financial obligation to the Lord and freewill offerings in addition as God has prospered them for the support of the whole church, local, district, educational, and general. The tithe, provided to the local Church of the Nazarene, shall be considered a priority over all other giving opportunities which God may lay upon the hearts of His faithful stewards, in support of the whole church.

1—> Who am I giving to?

—> God not the church

—> Acts 4:31

Acts 4:31 NIV

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

—> Acts 4:32

Acts 4:32 NIV

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

—> Give if God is in it.

2—> why am I giving?

—> Acts 4:34-35

Acts 4:34–35 NIV

that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

—> Giving for good

—> Acts 4:36-37

Acts 4:36–37 NIV

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

—> Giving for glory

—> Acts 5:1-2

Acts 5:1–2 NIV

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

3—> How am I to give?

—> generously

—> faithfully

—> Giving what God calls us to give

—> consistently

—> tithing helps with consistency

—> It helps us remember

—> It helps the church plan