Why do you do the good things that you do? When you help out another person what is the motivation?  There are all kinds of reasons we might help others.  Perhaps we have a genuine love or affection for them.  Maybe we are motivated by a sense of duty or obedience to help.  Maybe we like and enjoy how it makes us feel.  Sometimes, if we are honest, we might want to be noticed or appreciated for helping others.  In Acts 5 a couple does something really good but for the wrong reasons and they are dishonest about it.  Let’s look together at the story of Ananias and Sapphira. 

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.

The problem certainly wasn’t in the generosity or even that they didn’t give all of the money.  The problem was all about their dishonesty and motivation.  They wanted people to think that they had given away all of the money from selling their property.  They wanted to be recognized and appreciated for their great sacrifice.  They were not truly motivated to serve Jesus and help the ministry of the Disciples.  I pray that God would give us the right heart as we seek to serve and love others.  Help us all to share God’s love with the world because we are called to and out of our great love for Him.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave