Slices
Prepare
At the start of this week, bring to the Lord your plans, your hopes and your concerns.
Bible passage
The believers share their possessions
32 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. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there was no needy person among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 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 Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, ‘Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?’
‘Yes,’ she said, ‘that is the price.’
9 Peter said to her, ‘How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.’
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Explore
This passage is unsettling to say the least! God takes the lives of an ordinary Christian couple because of a lie that was completely unnecessary. If they had simply said that they were keeping some money aside, nobody would have minded: the property was theirs to dispose of as they wished (5:4). But they chose to lie and paid for it with their lives. So why did they do it? It seems that Ananias and Sapphira were seeking prestige among the believers; perhaps they thought they could buy influence or position. Though the act of giving appeared generous, God saw through the facade. God cares more about the heart of the giver than the amount they give.
However, it is not only this story that I find unsettling. The first part of the passage also makes me uncomfortable. In a world where the accumulation of possessions is prized, sacrificial giving seems crazy. One could argue that it is better to steward resources well than to sell up and give the proceeds away. Barnabas could have paid people to farm his land, then given the food grown to the poor. The difference 2,000 years on is that we have lost the eternal perspective of the first believers: if you genuinely believe that Christ could return tomorrow, what use are more possessions (Luke 12:16–21)?
Respond
Ask the Lord to show you what or how much he wants you to give, and to whom.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 33,34; Psalms 75,76
Pray for Scripture Union
Today marks the ninth birthday of the Guardians of Ancora children’s app. Praise God for the ongoing impact of the game and the mission around it. More than 2.3 million players have explored Bible stories and had the opportunity of discovering the difference Jesus can make to the adventures and challenges of life.
Brilliant new booklet for children and teenagers!
Navigating the 'what next' after you've made the decision to follow Jesus can be difficult, especially if you're unfamiliar with the Bible, and you're still discovering who God is, that's why we've created So, What Next?
Designed and written in collaboration with New Wine this back pocket booklet helps children and young people who have made a recent commitment to follow Jesus, continue their journey with him.
