Show Me Your Hands预览

THE WRONG FIGHT

The Bible’s account of the first church of Acts is the golden standard for all churches to come. “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had” (Acts 4:32, NLT). But it is no surprise that there would soon be disagreements between them (Acts 15, Philemon 1).

Ananias and Sapphira’s behavior suggests that they were not in complete agreement with the rest of the congregation’s belief that all possessions should be shared (Acts 5). I wonder if they had doubts about the way the apostles would spend the money. Or maybe they felt resentful towards others who benefited from the contributions.

I wonder how many disagreements within the church stir up the same anger that God displayed towards Ananias and Sapphira. How many good causes within the Church lose what is due to them because someone took offense?

The problem is that being treated unfairly doesn’t justify lying. Especially not to God’s precious new Bride. The Bible warns us on many occasions against taking matters into our own hands. “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back’, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19, NLT).

Are there areas in your life where anger or resentment cause you to hold back? Are you afraid that letting go may also mean letting go of what you cling to so tightly?

Let us trust the Lord with our offerings regardless of other peoples’ behavior. And let us not sacrifice our righteousness by holding back what belongs to the Lord. “‘Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked’” (Luke 6:35, NLT).