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Campus Bible Talk meets every Monday during the school year (except during holidays and during Reading Week Breaks) at Athabasca Hall, Heritage Lounge, at 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Generosity and Hypocrisy

"Generosity and Hypocrisy" were the topics of our talk on Monday evening.  We looked at the example of the early church, how they shared everything they had and the generosity displayed by believers who sold their lands and homes so that there would be no needy people among them.  Then, we studied the story of Ananias and Sapphira, focusing on their sin of hypocrisy and its tragic consequences.

Please find below our study's notes.


July 11, 2011
Generosity and Hypocrisy
Opening question: What has been an act of generosity that has really affected you personally or someone close in your life?
We can mention many occasions when we see generosity in our lives, whether it is by receiving a scholarship or a charity event or whether it is providing a few items for someone less fortunate.
Today, we are going to look at a famous example from the Bible and talk about a lesson in generosity and hypocrisy.
In Acts 4:32-27 we read: 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.  33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all  34 that 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  35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.  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.
These are general and specific examples of generosity.  The believers shared their possession, meaning they gave to the ones who did not have.  Note that “there were no needy persons among them.”  The process was simple: The people who were blessed to the extent that they had property to give to the less fortunate believers, did so and gave the money to be distributed for food, clothing, shelter, etc.
This was a time when there were many believers in Jerusalem and many of them did not have a place to stay, extra clothes or food and definitely needed or could have used the help provided to them in this way.
What does this example teach us about being generous today?
In Acts 5:1-11, we read the story of Ananias and Sapphira:  1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.  6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.  11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
What did Ananias and Sapphira do?
Ananias and Sapphira pretended or tried to appear as they were giving everything (all the money from the sale), when they were not.
Why was this wrong?
Because it was a lie, both to the Apostles, and to God.  Ananias and Sapphira hid some of the money, but said that they were giving everything.
There was no obligation for Ananias and Sapphira to sell their land and give any of the money.  This is not expected to be done by all and it was not done by all (those who could/had).
How do we feel when someone has been lying to us?  Why is lying a problem?
Why Ananias and Sapphira were punished in this manner?
1.         Their sin of impurity – hypocrisy and lies could not be allowed in the new community of Christians that was just being started.
2.         God showed his displeasure for insincerity – God does not lie (Titus 1:1–2) and he does not approve of people lying.
Conclusions
We may not be punished immediately for our sins, but we can rest assured that God is aware of them and that we will give account one day for everything we are doing in our lives - Revelation 20:12

Campus Bible Talk 2011

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