Opening: Have you ever been scared to go someplace? Maybe
the cemetery when you were a child? Maybe to the doctor’s office to hear the
results of a recent test. Have you ever been scared to go to church?
Scripture: Read Acts 4:32-5:11.
Insights:
- The end of chapter 4 is another “Progress Report” of the Early Church. The previous one is recorded in Acts 2:42-47. There will be more.
- Here is a sudden change in the narrative. Before this, all things were moving in the most exalted atmosphere; there were great thoughts of God; there were prayers for the Holy Spirit; there were exultant quotations from the Old Testament. Now, without warning, the narrative changes to practical things. However much these early Christians had their moments on the heights, they never forgot that someone didn’t have enough and that all must help. Prayer was supremely important, the witness of words was supremely important, but the culmination was love of the one another.
- Look at the motives of Ananias and Sapphira. They were free to sell their property and give whatever they wished, but they lied and made it seem as if the money they gave was the full amount of the sale, as Barnabas and others had given.
- The fact that Luke included this story in his account of the Early Church is very telling. It could have been easily left out, and we would have been left with the impression that everything in this new church was “hunky-dory.” But the Bible is honest about the people in it. Every church has occasional problems, even this dynamic new church.
- Verse 11 is the first occurrence of the term “church” in Acts.
Life Questions:
- Today’s reading is an example of what Bishop Robert Schnase calls “Extravagant Generosity.” The people were not commanded to give; they gave from their hearts sacrificially and generously. What is your attitude when you give? Excitement? Enthusiastic? Extravagancy?
- The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira may seem harsh for your understanding of God, but remember, the corruptive nature of sin and the incredible amount it cost God – His only Son – to take care of it. Any sin is serious; repent and ask forgiveness now!
Prayer Focus: That our hearts would be so in touch with the
heart of God that we would quickly see the needs of others and without
hesitation respond.
