June 22, 2025 Generosity | Acts 4:32-5:11

Today we will reflect on the early church story of Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira. Our passage will be Acts 4:32-5:11, Generosity. The early church after Pentecost embraced the teachings of compassion and service found in the Torah. In response, Barnabas sells a field and gives the money to the apostles to help those who had need. Pride enters in as Ananias and Sapphira want to be seen as generous, but the lure of money leads them to deceive the apostles. But God knows their hearts and so they experience the consequences of their deceit and they both fall and die. Our generosity needs to flow out of the overwhelming generosity and love of Jesus for us as shown on the cross. This is how we give with cheerful hearts and open hands.