God Above All (Acts 5)
12:30 PM
Acts 5 gives us 2 unusual stories that should make us pause and consider who exactly sits on the throne of not only the Universe, but of our heart.
In the first story, we have a couple who were, to the eyes of man, serving God. In fact, they made a great charitable gift to the Church. But this gift was tainted with intentional deception..“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.” (v2). Did God require all of the proceeds of the land? Well, I’m not sure what God impressed upon their hearts to give to his ministry but I know that God did not want any gift given grudgingly.
In the first story, we have a couple who were, to the eyes of man, serving God. In fact, they made a great charitable gift to the Church. But this gift was tainted with intentional deception..“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.” (v2). Did God require all of the proceeds of the land? Well, I’m not sure what God impressed upon their hearts to give to his ministry but I know that God did not want any gift given grudgingly.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) No, how much they gave was not the issue. In fact, I don’t think they had to even sell the land at all for the apostles said that the land was their possession and under their control. Likewise, what they chose to do with the proceeds was also their choice. So what upset God to the point that he required their lives as an example to the people? I believe it was their allegiance to Satan while trying to pretend that they were serving God. They wanted to appear noble and generous and sacrificial to “look good” and yet secretly benefit from selfish gain. They were even given opportunity to come clean before God and they still clung to their lie and deception. God was not fooled and God was not going to be mocked.
In the 2nd story, God rescues his apostles who were imprisoned for teaching His Word to the people. “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach..(v19–21) They did not hesitate to obey God and were willing to take the risk of being found by those who wished them harm. When questioned, they spoke truthfully and passionately: “But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.” (v29).
What a shocking contrast to the first story where Ananias and Sapphira were seeking selfish gain under the guise of looking sacrificial and good. The apostles were willing to truly sacrifice, seeking to honor God only and without regard for how that pleased mankind or what it might cost them. In fact, they were honored when they had to suffer on God’s behalf and went right back into the danger zone again. “and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” (v40-42)
God knows our hearts. He knows how devoted we are to Him and to obeying His voice. He gives us choices. He never forces our hand. But, He is God and He requires us to be honest when before man and more importantly honest before Him. He does not want sacrifices that are done out of obligation or for earthly gain. “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3) It all comes down to who is on the throne of your heart? Is is self and the desire to preserve self or is it God and the desire to honor Him without concern for what it may cost? These are tough questions we have to ask ourselves with every decision we make.
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