EXPOSED
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “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.” Acts 5:4, NIV
Theme: Sin (especially sin that looks like a good deed) may be hidden from people but never from God.
A GOOD DEED
Often I admire someone for their gifts and talents, especially when they use them to serve others. My friend, Kendra, writes beautiful devotions (she wrote yesterday’s), paints pictures, and is generally adept at any artistic endeavor I’ve seen her attempt. She also collects menstrual and hygiene products for women during the month of February and distributes them to worthy organizations in this community. She’s the best. While admiring a fellow worker and friend is not a sin, I could be tempted to try to recreate the exact same contributions myself, become envious if I should fail, or even try to deceive others into believing my contributions were the same when they are not. I can imagine making this sort of mistake. I know I have sinfully tried to copy others. I know I have served from the wrong motive, focused on an imaginary competition.
A GOOD EXAMPLE
The Scripture for today comes from a passage recounting the sale of a field and deception about the sale price and proceeds that were donated. However, right before the deceptive donation is made, there is another field sold. “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means 'son of encouragement'), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:36-37, NIV). This guy was generous and encouraging. He sold his field and donated all the money to the cause of the Church. As far as we can tell, no one compelled him to sell the property or donate the proceeds. This ends his recorded story and Acts Chapter 4. Acts 5 begins with a second field being sold, this time by a couple who kept part of the money from the sale and brought the rest to contribute to the cause in the same manner that Barnabas contributed his proceeds (Acts 5:1-2). I wonder if Ananias first admired Barnabas but didn’t want to go “all out,” so he decided to keep some money back discretely.
DECEPTIVE DONATION
A little sin mixed in with a good deed is like a little yeast mixed into dough. There may not be much of it, but it works its way through the whole batch. While the sin (of deceptive leadership) described in Galatians is not the same, yeast in dough is a good description of any sin getting in where it shouldn’t: it affects the whole and will be exposed. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” (Galatians 5:9, NIV). It would have been better if Ananias and Sapphira had waited to donate money, talked it over with Barnabas or Peter, or been upfront about what percentage they planned to contribute before selling their property. Lies and deception are not allowable, even if it means some money is donated to a good cause. We might be able to fool people, but we are exposed to God. Accepting sin always leads to death, even if we don’t drop dead right that minute.
Make It Personal: We would do well to remember this story when we file our taxes, write off expenses, and report charitable donations. When we really believe in God, we want to go “all out” in being honest and forthright, not competing with others or lying to try to keep up. How can you, like me, relate to the temptation to jump in before thinking or to do the wrong thing (lie, deceive) for the right reason (getting resources to a worthy cause)?
Pray: God, thank You for those who provide a good example around me. Help us to follow You wholeheartedly and avoid sinning, especially in pursuit of service or generosity. Help me to examine my heart and to seek wise counsel. Help me to avoid deception and to be honest about any actions I plan to take. Thank You for forgiving me for the many times I have made mistakes just like Ananias and Sapphira! I know my sin leads to death and that only Your grace resurrects me from the dead and cleanses my sinfulness. Thank You for alerting me to any wrong actions or mindsets I may have. Help me to turn from those wrong ways so that I might contribute honestly and with genuine affection for those around me. Amen.
Read: Acts 4:36-5:10
Weekly Memory Verse: “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.” Matthew 6:19-21, ESV