"With his wife's full knowledge, he kept back part of the money for himself..." (Acts 5:2)
For this Sapphira dies? What was she supposed to do. rat out her husband? This is a tough question. It's not easy for me to swallow punishment of Ananias, so to say that Sappira, who seemed to play the role of silent by-stander, is so culpable... it's difficult.
It speaks loudly of our responsibility to keep each other honest, especially within a marriage relationship. We don't walk with Christ in isolation. Our actions affect others. Others actions affect us. Just ask Achan's family.
Think of Sapphira the next time you are tempted to look the other way.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Achan it
Ananias was a sort of new Achan. You remember him. When Israel marched and shouted the walls of Jericho down, they were told to destroy everything. But Achan liked what he saw too much. He took a robe, some silver and some gold. He hid them under his tent... where he could really enjoy them.
Both stories come in the midst of a time of great idealism, a time when things could hardly be better. Israel in Achan's day and the church in Ananias' day were both moving together in perfect faith.
Both times we have these feel-good stories interrupted by a harsh punch to the gut. Achan and his wife and kids must have stones throne at them until they die. Ananias and his wife are killed by the hand of God through the voice of Peter. How jarring.
Why is God so stern? Why must all these people die?
From this I learn that obeying God is serious. I learn that he is bigger and more complex than we assumed. He is not just a big cuddly Abba. I learn what a big deal pardon is in my life.
Both times, it seems, these public accounts serve as a reminder to a newborn faith community that God is not one to be fooled with.
I suppose we should take this opportunity to check under our tents.
Both stories come in the midst of a time of great idealism, a time when things could hardly be better. Israel in Achan's day and the church in Ananias' day were both moving together in perfect faith.
Both times we have these feel-good stories interrupted by a harsh punch to the gut. Achan and his wife and kids must have stones throne at them until they die. Ananias and his wife are killed by the hand of God through the voice of Peter. How jarring.
Why is God so stern? Why must all these people die?
From this I learn that obeying God is serious. I learn that he is bigger and more complex than we assumed. He is not just a big cuddly Abba. I learn what a big deal pardon is in my life.
Both times, it seems, these public accounts serve as a reminder to a newborn faith community that God is not one to be fooled with.
I suppose we should take this opportunity to check under our tents.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Fakin' it
Apparently, they were there. They were in the congregation the day Joe brought in the money he got from selling his estate. They experienced the revitalizing encouragement that such a sacrifice brought to the whole church. They were there when the Apostles slapped him on the back saying, “Good Ole Joe. Always knows how to brighten things up. We’ll call you ‘Mr. Encouragement’.”
Perhaps they were there and were enticed by the aura of honor. Perhaps they thought of Joe the way many of us think about martyrs, “I would have done the same thing, given the opportunity.” Perhaps they even let such boasts be heard, so when their piece of property sold, there was a heavy bit of expectation. Perhaps everyone was waiting with baited breath for them to deliver on their claim. But that was a lot of money.
“No one said we HAVE to give it all. So what if Joseph did? Good for him! We’ll give most of it. Keep just a little for a rainy day. It’s still a very considerable sacrifice.”
Well, you should have seen the looks on people’s faces when he brought in all that money. “Good Ole Ananias! He came through on his boasts! God is gracious!” He felt good. He felt appreciated. As well he should have. That was a lot of money. “Another Joseph!” someone shouted. “Looks as if Encouragement bore twins.” He very much understood the insinuations. They think this is the full price. "Minor details.” He figured.
“Is this the full price you received from that piece of property?” Peter asked him. He was going to tell the truth. Why wouldn’t he? There is nothing wrong with an eighty-five per cent tithe. Some serious needs will be met with this gift. The poor will eat. The naked will be clothed. Why wouldn’t he tell the truth? It’s not like he is stealing. It was his property. The price he received was his money to do with as he liked. Why would he lie?
He turned around to see a small crowd now gathering behind him, beaming with enthusiasm and clamoring to hear his response. Even Joseph was in the crowd. “Is this the full price you received from that piece of property?” Ahh… what difference does that make!? Don’t let these people down. Tell them what they want to hear. These are God’s precious people. Don’t discourage them with details. Stop hesitating. They’ll be suspicious. Answer!
“Yes…” he said as he fell to the ground.
Joseph was sincere. His gift encouraged the church. Ananias was insincere. His gift brought great fear to the church. The difference between being real and putting on a show was life and death.
(I might post on the account of Ananias and Sapphira more than once. There is a lot to be said about his very troubling story.)
Perhaps they were there and were enticed by the aura of honor. Perhaps they thought of Joe the way many of us think about martyrs, “I would have done the same thing, given the opportunity.” Perhaps they even let such boasts be heard, so when their piece of property sold, there was a heavy bit of expectation. Perhaps everyone was waiting with baited breath for them to deliver on their claim. But that was a lot of money.
“No one said we HAVE to give it all. So what if Joseph did? Good for him! We’ll give most of it. Keep just a little for a rainy day. It’s still a very considerable sacrifice.”
Well, you should have seen the looks on people’s faces when he brought in all that money. “Good Ole Ananias! He came through on his boasts! God is gracious!” He felt good. He felt appreciated. As well he should have. That was a lot of money. “Another Joseph!” someone shouted. “Looks as if Encouragement bore twins.” He very much understood the insinuations. They think this is the full price. "Minor details.” He figured.
“Is this the full price you received from that piece of property?” Peter asked him. He was going to tell the truth. Why wouldn’t he? There is nothing wrong with an eighty-five per cent tithe. Some serious needs will be met with this gift. The poor will eat. The naked will be clothed. Why wouldn’t he tell the truth? It’s not like he is stealing. It was his property. The price he received was his money to do with as he liked. Why would he lie?
He turned around to see a small crowd now gathering behind him, beaming with enthusiasm and clamoring to hear his response. Even Joseph was in the crowd. “Is this the full price you received from that piece of property?” Ahh… what difference does that make!? Don’t let these people down. Tell them what they want to hear. These are God’s precious people. Don’t discourage them with details. Stop hesitating. They’ll be suspicious. Answer!
“Yes…” he said as he fell to the ground.
Joseph was sincere. His gift encouraged the church. Ananias was insincere. His gift brought great fear to the church. The difference between being real and putting on a show was life and death.
(I might post on the account of Ananias and Sapphira more than once. There is a lot to be said about his very troubling story.)
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
new look
The reason that I have a new look is mostly that my wife has started a blog and wanted to use the polka dots. I thought it would be lame if our blogs had the same template, so I changed it. Her blog is intended to be a place to share pictures and family news for her siblings. Right now it has a bunch of pictures of my family, mostly featuring our new addtion. You can check it out here:
I've got several things that I want to write about including a look at Acts 5. Stay tuned.
I've got several things that I want to write about including a look at Acts 5. Stay tuned.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Needing some Nabas
Acts 4:36-37
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
(from New International Version)
Joseph got the nickname Bar (son of) Nabas (encouragment) one could assume, because he was such an encouragement. So, what did he do that was so encouraging? what can we learn about encouraging others from? He becomes a major player in Acts, and almost every time he is mentioned is doing something encouraging. But let us focus on his introduction here.
The term "encouragement" means to instill courage into someone, courage to face the day, stnad up under trials, resist temptation, whatever. The main we try to encourage people is with our words. But that is probably the least effective way.
I presume the reason the Apostles called Joseph "Mr. Encouragement" is that he found a more dynamic and effective way to encourage. He sold himself out to the cause of Christ, the church. by his actions he communicated to the Apostles and everyone else in the church "This thing is real. It is worth sacrificing all we have for. I'm committed in love to everyone here." Actions spoke so much louder than words would have. Such sacrificial actions helped strengthen the church to stand up under the persecution it would soon face.
If you desire to be an encouragement to someone, stnad with them. Show them with your actions that you are dedicated to them. If you want to give your church the courage it needs to face whatever may come, be the first to throw yourself in whole-heartedly. Set a precident of sacrifice.
With all that we are up against, encouragement needs more than one son.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
(from New International Version)
Joseph got the nickname Bar (son of) Nabas (encouragment) one could assume, because he was such an encouragement. So, what did he do that was so encouraging? what can we learn about encouraging others from? He becomes a major player in Acts, and almost every time he is mentioned is doing something encouraging. But let us focus on his introduction here.
The term "encouragement" means to instill courage into someone, courage to face the day, stnad up under trials, resist temptation, whatever. The main we try to encourage people is with our words. But that is probably the least effective way.
I presume the reason the Apostles called Joseph "Mr. Encouragement" is that he found a more dynamic and effective way to encourage. He sold himself out to the cause of Christ, the church. by his actions he communicated to the Apostles and everyone else in the church "This thing is real. It is worth sacrificing all we have for. I'm committed in love to everyone here." Actions spoke so much louder than words would have. Such sacrificial actions helped strengthen the church to stand up under the persecution it would soon face.
If you desire to be an encouragement to someone, stnad with them. Show them with your actions that you are dedicated to them. If you want to give your church the courage it needs to face whatever may come, be the first to throw yourself in whole-heartedly. Set a precident of sacrifice.
With all that we are up against, encouragement needs more than one son.
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