I Surrender All (Generosity)
Series: Devoted
February 25, 2024
Frank Foreman
Acts 4:35… 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 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. ————— Sadly, the perception some have of the church is that we are simply an organization with our hands open, asking for donations. Also, sometimes even within the body of Christ, there is a feeling that if you ever mention giving or offerings that it can be intrusive and/or bothersome. ————— The problem with this perception is that it completely avoids the sobering truth, that there are those in need who have no other alternative than the generosity of the Christian family. While we can have an understanding that there have been those who have exploited this truth for selfish purposes, it is reckless to simply generalize all churches and all Christians as selfishly motivated. The truth is, the majority of Christians who ask for and offer offerings do so out of a desire to reflect Godly generosity. Frank shares such an example from the early church this Sunday, as the family of God offering sacrificial gifts to make sure that the needs of the whole body were addressed. God’s grace had moved them from a place of ownership of what they had to a place of stewardship of that which God had given them for the purpose of providing for His whole family.
Episode Notes
Acts 4:32-35, 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.
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
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 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Big Idea: God doesn’t want your money…. He wants your heart.
Matthew 6:19-21, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1. A heart surrendered to God is humble and generous.
Acts 4:36-37, Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
1st Peter 5:5-6, Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you…”
2. A heart resistant to God is prideful and greedy.
Acts 5:1-11, But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 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.
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? 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.”
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
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.”
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.
And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Before God asks you to give anything…. God gives you everything.
Next Step: Start by surrendering your heart to God….
Then experience the true joy of giving.
2nd Corinthians 9:7, Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
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