Kim May Sr. Pastor

“Genuine and Generous” Acts 5:1-11

“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.” Acts 4:32

“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.” Acts 4:32 “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands 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.” Acts 4:34-35

Ananias and Sapphira pretended to give all the proceeds to God through the church.

Their undevout secret spit in the face of devout giving.

#1 Pretending is lying.

God hates pretending because it opposes His nature of holiness and truth.

#1 Pretending is lying. #2 Lying to man is lying to God.

#1 Pretending is lying. #2 Lying to man is lying to God. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

“The Lord has heard your grumbling against Him … Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.” Exodus 16:7-8

#3 Satan is the author of lies.

“There is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

#3 Satan is the author of lies. “There is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?” Acts 5:3

The time is always right to do what is right. (Martin Luther King)

#1 Pretending is lying. #2 Lying to man is lying to God. #3 Satan is the author of lies. #4 Test God by giving, not withholding.

“‘Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. But you ask, ‘How are we to return? Will a man rob God?’ Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ ‘In tithes and offerings.... Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room for it.’” Malachi 3:7-8,10

Contributions for religious organizations, particularly churches, have decreased from 50% of all charitable giving to 31%. That 31% includes the consistently involved church member who, on average, gives 2.3% of their income to God through their church.

People may still be giving money, but they’ve replaced church with all kinds of other causes and organizations they care about.

What can you and I do to become more like the Acts church – genuine and generous?