One Heart & Soul (Acts 4:32-5:11)

Churches across this country are mostly happy to have an increase in their numbers. What motivates us to come together may seem like a small thing. Bigger numbers equal more money and more projects. Therefore, we can completely lose sight of people's underlying motivations to come worship with us or give their money. Do we ever stop to think about how God feels about our good work? Do the ends justify the means to God?

Abounding Generosity

In the first century, a group of over 3000 people had become the first ever church of Christ, entirely devoting themselves to God and each other.

Acts 2:42--45 (ESV) --- 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

We read that there was not a needy person among them because everyone shared and treated each other with love and kindness.

We see this continuing when we get to the end of Chapter 4. Even though the number of believers has grown to over 5000, they still shared and showed each other love.

Acts 4:32--33 (ESV) --- 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

Can you imagine being a part of that church? Everyone was utterly selfless and compassionate. They all wanted to do more for God, so they considered everything they owned up for grabs. None of them thought that what they owned was too precious to give up. Their motivation was pure and right. Can you imagine being like that? Do we think that what we have is ours? Is that our entire focus? I'm ashamed to say, "No."

What makes these Christians so devoted? Notice that this text tells us the reason behind their loving attitude. The disciples continually reminded them about what Jesus had done for them, and God showed tremendous grace. Learning about the love God has for us motivates us to love others.

Take a few moments to consider how gracious God is. Think about how much grace God has shown you so far in your life. Has he not abundantly blessed you? What have you done to deserve the many blessings he's given you? He chose to love you when you hadn't even thought of him.

1 John 4:10--12 (ESV) --- 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

God has offered to take away all of your sins through the death of his Son. The Christians in the first century were filled with the knowledge of the grace of God, and it set their hearts on fire. They were zealous to the point of being weird and crazy.

Faith On Display

Acts 4:34--35 (ESV) --- 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

They weren't just putting in a little bit. These disciples didn't look at their cost of living and calculate how much they ought to give after they bought everything they needed to live. They didn't go ten percent after considering the bills and the car payments and the extra they would need to account for inflation. They didn't just say, "Anything that I own is yours. You tell me what you need." They actually lived it out.

These men and women took what they were currently using to build their wealth and let it go. They took the initiative and sold land or houses to give them to God. That was their children's inheritance. That was their financial security blanket. Why would anyone give up their financial security blanket?

One reason people would give that up is that they are fully convinced that they have a better hope in heaven. They have a treasure they are laying in heaven to enjoy all eternity. It's the ultimate security. People trusted in Jesus to deliver what they needed on this earth and looked forward to what was coming after this life. But more than that, these people wanted to love those around them as Jesus had loved them. They do this to show gratitude for what God has done for them.

It reminds me of the woman who was sinful in Luke 7. She came into the Pharisee's house and washed Jesus' feet with her tears. Jesus says, "She has loved much because she has been forgiven much." How much we love God and our brethren depends on how much grace we believe he has shown us. How much we are willing to give him, and those around us depends on how much we believe he has given us. We do not give to God if we believe we have earned everything we enjoy. God wants to abundantly bless his children so that they have the means to glorify him through this kind of crazy generosity. These men and women did not consider what they owned to be theirs. They gave it to God for all he has done for them. What about you? Have you determined how much God's love and grace are worth to you? Is it worth your security blanket?

Acts 4:36--37 (ESV) --- 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Here we read about a man named Joseph. He was a Levite who decided to sell his land and lay the money at the apostles' feet. His land would provide for those who had a need right now instead of providing for his children. Take special notice of what the apostles did. They looked at Joseph and said, you are such an encouragement to us that we want to change your name to Barnabas, which means "Son of encouragement." Can you imagine how encouraging you have to be for the apostles to rename you "Son of Encouragement?" When we read the rest of the book of Acts, we don't hear about Joseph anymore. We read about Barnabas. He is intricately involved in Paul's ministry. This man was all in. He was utterly devoted to the work that God had given him to do.

When Envy & Jealousy Creep In

When we think about the New Testament church, this is our image. They were utterly devoted to God and willing to sacrifice everything to serve him. That is certainly the case when we read the first four chapters of Acts. The church was on fire in the first months, and there didn't seem to be anything negative to say about them. They were of "one heart and soul." They were united in their work and loved one another enough to share their lives.

However, it didn't take long for evil to try to creep back in again.

Acts 5:1--11 (ESV) --- 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 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. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

The chapter divisions here are annoying. This is a story about people laying money at the feet of the apostles. How does that deserve a new chapter from the previous section about Christians laying money at the apostles' feet? Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, have decided to sell a piece of land, but we read that they held some of the money back for themselves this time. Why would they do that?

We don't have to think too hard to find an answer. Have you ever witnessed someone doing an excellent and sacrificial act and felt encouraged to replicate it? If they were willing to do that much for God, it might be tempting to us to do the same thing. But what if we just like the attention it drew and didn't want to sacrifice that much? It's like the person who slaves away at practicing a sport. They become the best person on the team, and everyone else wants to get the same level of recognition. The only difference is that everyone else isn't willing to spend the time it takes to be great.

This husband and wife team decides to sell their land and act like they are doing the same thing Joseph did. They act like they are giving all the money, but then they die! The text says that Peter rebuked him for lying to the Holy Spirit and breathed his last. Then, his wife came in and did the same.

Isn't that odd? Why would they die for this? Why wouldn't Peter have said, as we would, that's great that you are willing to give so much money, but next time don't lie about it? God knows you didn't sell it for that much. We might have spoken to them that way, but God chose to take away their breath. Isn't that an amazing and terrifying thing? The text says that everyone was afraid at that point. Is God gracious and giving, or is he wrathful and terrifying? The answer is "YES!" The whole point of salvation is that Jesus has come to save us from the wrath that we deserve. If someone is going to try to take advantage of the grace of God and persist in a rebellious hypocritical lifestyle, they aren't better off. God will not be deceived. We cannot go on sinning willfully and believe that God will forgive our sins.

Application

This text shows the right and wrong ways to do a good deed. God is not pleased when we do good deeds with the wrong heart. It's not enough to give. God is not a bill collector who doesn't care where the money comes from or how you feel about giving it. God is more concerned with the giver's heart than with the amount they give.

When you boil it down, this text is not purely about lying. We aren't just supposed to see this event and think, "Wow! We better not ever lie to the Holy Spirit!" Although that is true, it also points to a more significant issue of self-deception. This text begs us to ask, "Why do we do what we do?" Why do we come to church? Why do we give to help poor brethren?

Motivated by Routine

Do we come to church and give ourselves in service because it's what we've always done? I'm sure many are in this kind of routine. They have created ruts for themselves, and they feel safe in the ruts. Some of us feel no desire to be here more than a need to keep doing what we've always done. Is that a good reason that pleases God? Shouldn't a deeper motivation make us excited to get out of bed every morning and be here?

Motivated by Consequences

Or do we come and give ourselves because we are afraid of what might happen if we don't? Do we think God will send us to hell if we fail to do all these things for him? How big of a role do consequences play in our motivation? Maybe we do all these things because we expect God to give us a lot of stuff. That's not a good reason to do things for God. Can you imagine your spouse feeling that way with you? They clean the dishes for you, keep the house in order, or pay for all your lovely things. All of that sounds great, but then they expect you to deliver way more than they have given you, or they are afraid you will be harsh toward them if they don't do those things. Either way, it's not the right motivation. Eventually, that spouse could become bitter and tired of serving you.

Motivated by Positive Affirmation

Some of us are motivated by positive affirmation. That means that we want appreciation and credit. That's what I think motivated Ananias and Sapphira. They wanted recognition and acclaim like Joseph received. They held some of the money back because they wanted that recognition among the poor Christians and the rich. They wanted to give God enough money to be liked by him, but they still needed money for themselves to be liked by everyone else. These people are in love with this world. They are adulterers and adulteresses. God is not pleased.

Motivated by Grace and Love

In the first half of this text, we saw men and women in the church who gave all they had for God. They were seeing how the grace of God flowed abundantly toward them, and they were seeking to do good out of love. So the ultimate question for us is, "Are we in love with God?" When we love someone, we want to spend as much time with them as possible. If we are in a long-distance relationship, we can't wait till we get to talk to them on the phone for hours. We want to drive hours to spend time with them as often as possible. We think about our future with them and enjoy doing nice things that bring them joy.

Conclusion

We need one heart and soul in love with God for what he has given us. We must see his grace and fall in love with him repeatedly. Then, we must let that be the motivation for us to do good things. We don't sacrifice because we have to, want more stuff, or want people to like us. We do it out of love.

1 Corinthians 13:1--3 (ESV) --- 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

The greatest reward in heaven is to be with our God and our Lord's presence forever.