“Do Not Be A Bad Example!”

“Do Not Be A Bad Example!”(Acts 5:1-11).
The following verses of scriptures are so nostalgic and prompts us to long for that old time religion when “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had…There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”
Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus became even more examplary as he sold his land and brought the money to the apostles(Acts 4:37).
Yes, this is the story of the early church and it is so enviable. We long to belong to such fellowship where the brotherhood of mankind is sincerely practiced.
Unfortunately, we have those whose hearts are so filled by Satan that they enjoy such fellowsip only for what they gain and not for what they can sacrifice. That is how Ananias and his wife Sapphira brought shame and disgrace to this fellowship when they sold a piece of property and “with his wife’s full knowledge he kept part of the money for himself…” Wives can save their husbands and themselves by not consenting to certain ungodly decisions!
They had the right to their property. They had the right to keep part of the proceeds from the sales, but to lie to the Holy Spirit was not a lie to men, but to God.
“God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows”(Gal.6:7). You are at liberty to keep whatever you own for yourself. But when you make a commitment to bring it to be shared, do not engage in half measures! It is not good to be used in later days as an example of a bad example!
Ananias and Sapphira died without enjoying the money they had reserved. They became an incarnation for shame and disgrace! They since became the example of a bad example!
Today we are not asking anybody to sell their possessions and bring the proceeds to be shared; we are asking that those who have, should help the have-nots unreservedly! Nobody ever became poor because of generosity. Rather, freely you give, freely you receive.
Every one of us has something to offer. In my village when there is a funeral and when the rich in-laws are tasked with financial contributions, the poor in-laws are assigned to split wood, fetch water and run errands. This is to say we all have something that we can offer which is beneficial to all.
It is good to share!
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me to be truthful in my pledge on what to bring to the table for the common good. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.