[1] “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, [2] and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” — Acts 5:1 - 2 KJV
One time, I gave out funds to help sponsor a ministry project. Later, I told the finance director not to expose the amount I gave to the ministry to the general public. But to my shock, she told me she does that to inspire others to give more to the ministry. I just said, “Okay,” and moved on.
But after thinking about it for a while, I said, to myself, “I will not force myself to please people by doing good beyond my capacity and plan, especially in terms of giving.” Later upon meditation, I saw this as a way the devil can use to create a spirit of comparison among the brethren. See what happened in Acts 5.
Ananias and Sapphira were believers in Christ that have recently joined the early church. In those days, there weren’t outstanding administrative structures like how it is established in several ministries today. So because of that, people were selling their private properties and bringing them together in order to cater for everyone in the church, especially the needy ones. That’s an atmosphere of love which can be exemplified in our generation (Acts 2:44-47). But this couple, Ananias and Sapphira, didn’t have the spiritual capacity to give to that level.
They sold a piece of their own land and had money to give to the church. Instead of giving everything to the Church, they kept a part of it and laid the rest before the disciples’ feet (Acts 5:2). There’s nowhere in Acts that says that Ananias or Sapphira told the apostles the total money they received for selling the land as their offering. But the Holy Spirit was available to discern any falsehood.
Could it be that they wanted to give to show others they were also rich enough to give like others were doing in the Church? Unfortunately, their lives ended the same day because of lies.
Friend, don’t force yourself to please people by doing good things beyond your capacity. Life in Christ isn’t a competition. Everyone’s race of faith is different, with different divine assignments. If you cannot give as much as others do, celebrate God and do what you can. Even in 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul speaks of us planning what to give in church on the first day of every week. So giving constructively in God’s house requires a plan.
All hands aren’t the same. Do what God supplies divine enablement for in your life, not what you’re pressured to give because of a target the ministry wants to reach. Reject those who promote competition and unnecessary pressure in your life. Grace is responsible for your productivity.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Father, I pray in the name of Jesus. I give as to how You’ve provided and inspired me to do. I reject pressure to become people-centred and not You-centred when fulfilling each ministry duty. May the expansion of Your kingdom ever find expression in my life and those I’m called to impact. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 168
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