God's Expectations on our Possessions

Introduction

This morning’s text lead me to title this sermon quite simply, God’s Expectation on our possessions.

I want to begin and start of with a question that can sit in the back of your mind.

Does God truly have an expectation for us in regards to our possessions?

Have you taken any time in the past and thought through this process. Is God silent on the issue or does He speak.

If He speaks, do we truly listen?

I can tell you the world’s view of possessions.

Here is a story

Heller, the author of Catch-22, once was at a party in the Hamptons. A guy came over to him and pointed at a young, 25 year old standing in the party who worked for a big hedge fund. Heller’s “friend” said to him, “see that guy over there? He made more money last year then you will ever make with all of your books combined.”

Joseph Heller said, “Maybe so. But I have one thing that man will never have.”

His friend was skeptical. “Oh yeah, what?”

Heller said, “Enough.”

Enough, is this our view of our possessions?

A disciple of Christ is one who is Seeking to know God, while being transformed into the image of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit in the context of community.

Simply Put, A disciple’s life is marked by

Knowing, Growing, Giving

How we view our possessions and what we do with them is a part of the disciples life called a Spiritual Discipline.

This morning’s passages gives us a glimpse as to how seriously God takes this

With that, let’s open our Bibles and turn with me to Chapter 5 of the book of Acts.

Acts 5:1–11 ESV

1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 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. 3 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? 4 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.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 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.” 10 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. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Let’s Pray

Prelude to the Passage

As I said in weeks past, isn’t it a good thing that some passages in the Book of Acts are descriptive and not prescriptive?

I am sure many of us haven’t been asked to sell all that we have and bring it to church and hand over all of the proceeds.

I am sure I do not have to have each week a stretcher at the front of the church in order to make it easier to carry out those believers who lie to the Spirit.

Folks to fully understand the story here we must first look back a few verses and put this whole story in context.

If you still have your Bible open turn back a few verses with me to Acts chapter 4

As Pastor Josh walked you through last week on the sovereignty of God and challenged you on Boldness in the sovereignty of God.

Fortunately, he stopped at verse 31 and I want to recap the rest of the chapter.

Acts 4:32 ESV

32 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.

The Health of the Church: Acts 4:32-37

We are going to take a few minutes looking at the current health of the church.

As a pastor, I often attend events with other pastors. We meet together and one of the often conversation that is bantered about the group is

“How is your church”

I often respond by saying, well it was a perfect church until I arrived and spoiled everything, because I am far from perfect. We are far from perfect.

This week as I was working on this sermon, the thought came to me and a question I will be asking as we move forward, is this.

Are we a healthy church?

What are the signs of a healthy church?

The Church was United

A sign of a healthy church is that they are united.

United in their purpose, united in function.

If you read these verses, you begin to understand God’s expectation on our possessions.

This begins with us. How do you view the possessions God has given you?

In one of my jobs in Ontario, I worked with a fellow who was from a culture vastly different from my own.

He recently moved from another country and in moving to Canada he found himself immersed in that culture of the same people group from his birth country that had also moved to Canada.

One day, his car broke down and was past the point of repairing the car.

I asked him what were his plans he simply said, I will go to my friends and ask for money. They will give me the money to buy a new to me car.

Inwardly, I thought, good luck with that. BTW the bank is just around the corner and can give you a loan.

The next time I spoke with him, he was showing me the new car in his possession. His friends had come through.

I had to ask. How are they willing to give you money, when do you have to pay it back.

He simple said. There will come a time when someone comes to me and asks for money and i will give it to them.

acts 4:32 “32 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.”

They were inwardly one

They were inwardly one,

said Luke as he described these followers of Christ.

After my encounter with my friend, I began to look at my possessions differently.

I began to be thankful for all that God has given me and there is a willingness to share.

Luke 6:38 ESV

38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

The healthy church at this moment had of a common understanding as it related to the inwardly view of their possessions.

It begins within us.

Allowing the Spirit that is the same Spirit in each one of us to hear what the Spirit tells us on how we are to view our possessions.

They were outwardly one

The second mark of a healthy church is their sign of how they act outwardly.

The attitude of the inward heart became the common attitude of outward action.

Acts 4:34 ESV

34 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

How tightly do you hold onto your possessions?

Does God expect you to hold onto you possessions tightly?

Are they His or yours?

The church was blessed (was favored by God) (4:33)

A second thing about a healthy church is the evidence of God’s Grace upon them, not in spite of them.

Acts 4:33 “33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”

What a great example of the body of Christ. We are all in this together.

What one person does affects the whole lot.

When a healthy church is operating as one, God’s grace is powerful.

You see we need to look at these verses in order to understand chapter five.

There is a sharp contrast to what God desires of believers and how we sometimes live.

The church was powerful

A healthy church is described as Powerful.

Their testimony was clear, how they were looked at was clear.

How God worked among them was clear

The health of the church at that moment in time was working powerfully.

It was becoming an unstoppable force.

There was a positive Example

If you didn’t quite catch the unitedness of the church and the people of this movement, Luke puts in a description.

Exhibit A

Here we find the first mention of Barnabas

Did you know that:

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts 2. The Generosity of Barnabas (4:36–37)

Barnabas is an important figure in Luke’s account of the church’s expansion from Jerusalem to Rome; he appears a number of times as a kind of hinge between the mission to the Jewish world and that to the Gentiles (cf. 9:27; 11:22–30; 13:1–14:28; 15:2–4, 12, 22, 36–41; see also 1 Cor 9:6). Here, however, he is introduced as one who sold a field (hyparchontos autō agrou, lit., “his possession of a field”) and gave the money to the apostles for distribution among those in need.

Luke points out a giver, one of many. In fact, the healthy church at this point was full of folks like Barnabas.

I hope that as you read this verse, you didn’t miss the attitude of Barnabas.

He didn’t sell his portion of the land to have a plaque placed on the wall for all to see of his generosity.

He didn’t sell his portion of the land to be known as a major contributor of the program. He wasn’t remembered as the one who gave, but the one who encourages.

Barnabas was singled out not for the action of selling and giving of the money but to show the attitude of His view of Possessions in God’s Eyes.

What is mine is God’s

THE FIERY DISCIPLINE OF THE CHURCH (5:1–10)

With this as a backdrop we turn to the passage for today.

I took this caption from one of the sources I read.

Discipline of the church.

This passage this morning is not just about the sin of a couple and their accountability to God’s Spirit.

It’s about the church and the affect one’s sin can have on the entire body.

There are many passages throughout scripture that define the church as the body of Christ.

We are His Body.

Live as a Body

Act as a Body.

Sin in one part of the Body, can have a broad affect on the church.

Imagine if you will the stubbing of your pinky toe.

That little and small appendage that when pain is brought to it will affect you whole body.

So when we look at God’s Expectation of our Possessions, it begs the question, does one’s own view affect the whole body.

In this passage we see that it does

The Actions of Ananias

Let’s begin by looking at the actions of the man known as Ananias,

Unlike the lame man, this man’s name was given to us.

If you are planning on having children or your children ask for what is a good Biblical name, many would stay far away from Ananias.

I showed the story of Barnabas because:

This unselfish deed of Barnabas is given here as a contrast to the selfish deed of Ananias and Sapphira reported in the following verses

One person wrote,

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts 3. The Deceit of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1–11)

The case of Ananias and Sapphira is opposite that of Barnabas, though it was meant to look the same. No doubt the story circulated within the church as a warning of the awfulness of deceit, for at times of great enthusiasm such a warning is especially necessary. And though Luke has taken evident pleasure in reporting the progress of the gospel and the vitality of faith during these early days of the church in Jerusalem, he does not omit this most distressing event. It is a situation that must have lain heavily on the hearts of the early Christians, but it is also a message that needs to be constantly kept in mind by Christians today.

Acts 5:2 (ESV)

2 he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

There are many ways we can look at this passage, and many do, but what is this passage saying about God’s expectation of our possessions.

Is God expecting all of us to sell all that we have and give it to God? To bring that money and deposit in the offering Box?

Does God frown upon us keeping some of our money for ourselves?

The answer to both of these questions is no.

The actions of this couple was not in keeping some of the money, but it has all to do with the lie.

The problem of his action

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts (3. The Deceit of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1–11))

The details of the conspiracy are concisely stated. A certain man named Ananias (Heb., “God is gracious”) and his wife, Sapphire (Aram., “beautiful”), both of whom were evidently Christians, wanted to enjoy the acclaim of the church, as Barnabas did, without making a genuine sacrifice. So they too sold a piece of real estate (ktēma, “property,” NIV; cf. 2:45) and pretended to give the full price to the apostles for distribution to the needy, though they conspired to keep back part of the money for themselves.

This is why the two stories are very similar.

How we live out God’s Expectation of our possessions will be evident in how we give.

The actions of Ananias was to receive recognition and praise from man.

He could have simple kept some of the profits from the sale and given a portion, but the text implies that there was deceit in the story.

It’s interesting that he wasn’t living up to his Hebrew name of showing the Graciousness of God.

The two stories are the same as the phrase of

“Laying it at the Apostles Feet” implies we are all in.

Peter’s Response

Peter’s response is quick and measured.

He quickly held him responsible for his actions.

“Why did you lie”

“Why are you allowing Satan to have a foothold on your life?

Did Peter have some insider trading knowledge?

Was he sitting in the courtyard while Ananias was making the transaction with the seller knew exactly how much money should have been given?

The same Spirit that was in Peter to challenge Ananias is the same Spirit dwelling in us today. The same Spirit that leads this church.

The Same Spirit that convicts today our thoughts, deeds, and actions of our lives.

The Same Spirit that prompts our giving.

Peter explanation to Ananias is a clear as to God’s Expectation of our Possessions.

God has been the giver of our possessions and we need not hold back that which God asks us to Give.

One thing is certain.

Sin is against God

Acts 5:4 (ESV)

4 .... You have not lied to man but to God.”

I wonder why Peter didn’t give him a chance to repent?

Why was he so quick to admonish.

God’s Response

God’s response to this sin was swift and clear.

I am so glad that we serve a gracious God who by Grace we are saved.

It is not a means to allow us to keep on sinning, but that the cost of the sin is not immediate and swift.

One thing is for certain. God does have an expectation of our view of our Possessions.

The Actions of Sapphira

The Text moves on and now we find the wife coming to the Apostles.

I always chuckle that the specific amount of time is stated.

I wonder if Sapphira is wondering where has he gone now.

I have a tendency while Heather and I are shopping that I wonder off and she can’t find me.

She is often asked by Home Depot staff, “Can I help you?” Her response is always, “Can you help me find my husband?”

But along she comes.

The problem of her action

The problem of her action was the same as her husband.

Honesty.

She too was part of the conspiracy

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts 3. The Deceit of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1–11)

Just as man and wife were united in their conspiracy, so they were united in the judgment that came upon them

Peter’s Response

Again Peter takes the lead and I wonder if He would have asked the question.

Is there anything you need to set straight,

would her life had been different?

In our lives, do we “Test the Spirit” when we don’t do what the Spirit prompts us.

God’s Word is clear on so many things

So many ways that as believer we are to live our lives.

Do we test the Spirit when we conspire to get around those requests?

God’s Word is clear, here are just a few

“Love one another” , But Lord, what about him, the unloveable, do you really mean him?

“Pray for one another”, But Lord, I need more prayer than them.

“Forgive one another”, But Lord, I’ll say I forgive you, but really after what they did.

Be careful when we test the Spirit as he prompts our heart.

God’s Response

God’s response was no different on Sapphira than that of her husband.

Judgement was immediate.

On a side note, can you imagine the look on the faces of the young men who returned 3 hrs later after digging a grave, burring him only to return to repeat it again.

I wonder if they were slow to return to the place where the Apostles where staying if they were tired of digging.

The Effects of the Discipline on the Church

What are the effects of Discipline on the church as a whole.

This type of story is not new in the lives of God’s People.

We first saw a public display in the lives of the Israelite when the Sin of Achan was dealt with

Joshua 7:1 ESV

1 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

Folks there are things in the body of Christ that although being committed by some do affect the many.

We can take from scripture that when the sin that is brought to light and is dealt with, the church, the body is affected for the positive.

The Opposite is also true. When the sin is not dealt with it erodes the health of the church.

Like an infection in the body, when not dealt with, can affect the whole body as it spreads its affects throughout the body.

Luke describes the tone of the believers this way.

Acts 5:11 ESV

11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

This was a healthy fear, a reverence fear to know that we serve a Holy, just, and pure God.

What is God asking from Us

What is God asking from us and our view of our possessions.

Are we to take this passage as a prescriptive text or a descriptive.

Is God asking us to be willing to give all that we have and sell it to give to those in need? I don’t think so,

But I do believe that God wants us to view our possessions with a thankful and grateful heart and understand they are from the Lord and have a willingness to give back a portion to him.

Giving Back to God is a spiritual disciple

The Old Testament Tithe was a outlined measure to meet up with the expectations of their faith practice.

Giving back to God is what I call a part of a disciples discipline practice.

Knowing, Growing, Giving is a part of the process of a disciple.

Barnabas gave all, Annaias and Sapparia some not quite all, what are we to give?

Let’s look at a few scriptures.

Proverbs 3:9 ESV

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

Giving to God comes first. Surprisingly not the savings, but to God

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Our Attitude of Giving

This scripture outlines our attitude upon giving.

It first comes with a decision. A decision arrive upon in your heart, a heart that listens to God.

How many of us have sat down and listened to God about what we should be giving.

I have over the years heard so many people say that it should be 10 percent, although this is a great starting point derived from the word Tithe or 10,

first fruits, is what is commanded for the people.

The attitude should be, in fact, in some cases may be more then that.

It is in consultation with you and God. Not under compulsion.

Finally our attitude should be a cheerful giver.

One of the greatest things we have lost recently is the act of joyfully giving as part of our worship.

Have you ever been to a restaurant that has a bell by the tip jar.

Every time someone hands money into the jar the bell is rang.

What would church be like if we were to joyfully and cheerfully drop our giving into the box and ring a bell and everyone would cheer.

Not for what we gave, but we gave cheerfully.

Cheerfully take- Byron’s story of “Thank you” as the offering plate past by

The Cost & Accountability

and finally, what is God asking for us.

He wants us to give. A healthy church is one were the people in the church

are givers because it is as a sign of growing to be like Christ.

He wants us to view our possessions as given by God and we glorify Him by returning a portion back to him.

The cost,

what should you give

, is between you and God.

I’m going to ask you a question,

Have you sat down with God and asked what He is requiring of you and your possessions? Have you written this down?

Are you holding yourself responsible to do this.

When you get paid, is the amount taken off first or given only if there is money left?

Have we lost part of our worship as we cheerfully give back to God.

What works best for you?

God does have an expectation of our Possessions.

YES

They were His and he has given them to you to steward and manage. How are you doing in the giving back area?

In Summary

In summary,

I have handed out an envelope for you to open now. If you are watching this by Zoom or at a later time, you can do this on your own.

I want you in the next week, to spend some time with God asking for direction in your giving.

I want you to write out on this paper, what you plan to give.

Maybe its a percentage that you are going to give each pay period.

Maybe its a dollar amount

Maybe it’s more than what you have been given, but I challenge you to write it down.

Writing it down is a form of accountability that you are placing your self under.

Finally, in keeping with the text.

If you want to hand in that note, without your name on it a projected dollar amount that God has placed upon your heart to give to this church,

we are symbolically laying it at the Apostles feet and we can celebrate together a total amount that His people are planning on giving.

And when we do this, we can cheer, as another disciple is cheerfully Giving back what God has placed upon his heart.

As the Worship team makes their way up to the front to lead us in a response to Worship, let me pray

Let’s Pray

Response to Worship

Benediction