Biblical Giving

Acts 4:31-5:11

I.                   They had a great cause

a.     Preaching the name of Jesus 3:6, 16, 4:10, 12

b.     Living and sharing what had happened to them 4:20

c.      Suffering for the cause of Jesus 4:29

d.     Super fellowship based on the preaching of the name of Jesus, suffering for the cause of Jesus, the ministry of Jesus

II.                 There was great commitment on the part of all

a.     Everyone was using his possessions and income for the glory of God 4:32

b.     They were experiencing great power and great grace because of their commitment 4:33

c.      Many were giving in a very sacrificial way 4:34

d.     Joses sells land and gives all the money to the apostles 4:36-37

e.     Ananias and Sapphira also sell a possession and plot to give a part and keep a part and still get credit for giving all 5:1-4

III.              The church experiences great conflict

a.     Ananias and Sapphira experience personal spiritual conflict

                                                              i.      They probably do want to give to the work of the Lord Jesus

                                                             ii.      But they want the glory for giving and not some but all—maybe so they can be recognized like Barnabas was 5:4

                                                           iii.      Their greed wants to keep their money for themselves while their pride wants the glory for giving sacrificially

b.     Peter announces that Satan has filled their hearts to lie to the Holy Ghost 5:3

c.      God kills both Ananias and Sapphira 5:5, 10

d.     The church experiences great fear 5:5, 11

e.     This conflict causes even the lost to fear joining this church 5:13

IV.              Lessons to be learned about giving from this story

a.     A great cause promotes giving

b.     Personal commitment promotes giving

c.      God doesn’t expect us all to give the same thing or amount

d.     Your possessions belong to you and you decide what to do with what you have 5:4

                                                              i.      As you purpose in your heart           II Corinthians 9:7

                                                             ii.      Cheerful giving 9:7

                                                           iii.      As you recognize that it is God that has prospered you                          I Corinthians 16:2

e.     God punished the lie not the giving

                                                              i.      The pride that caused them to seek recognition

                                                             ii.      The personal seeking of glory

                                                           iii.      The plot for self seeking greed and pride