Who’s Glory?

SCRIPTURE:
Acts 5:3-5 NLT - Then Peter said, "Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren't lying to us but to God!" As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.

OBSERVATION:
At first glance, Acts chapter 5 seems troubling. Did the early church force people to sell what they had and give it to the church? Was a socialist agenda being birthed in the early church? The answer is no and no!

The answer goes back to chapter 4. The Spirit of God was moving, the gospel was being preached, and the church was growing daily. Thousands were being saved! As a result, many decided to help this new ministry by giving. They began to sell what they had to see the gospel preached.

In particular, there was a man named Joseph who stood out among the others—not because of the size of his gift, but because of the work God was doing through him to encourage the apostles and the early church.

Acts 4:34-37 NLT - There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means "Son of Encouragement"). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

So, what was different about Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira? Pride!

We are given a clue in verse three about why and where this pride came from:

Acts 5:3 NLT - Then Peter said, "Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.

Satan, the father of lies and the originator of pride, was in the picture. Ananias had let Satan fill his heart—which led to his death. It was never about the land being sold or how much it was sold for; it was—and will always be—about the heart.

The church was in its infancy, and the Lord knew that “pride” would be its ruin.

APPLICATION:
This chapter ends with sobering advice from an unlikely source—a man named Gamaliel, known as the one who taught Paul (formerly Saul). His words remind us to keep our focus on God and avoid the trap of pride.

Acts 5:38-39 NLT - "So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!"

What great advice. If Ananias had heard it before, perhaps things would have turned out differently. Don’t fight against God—it never ends well. Don’t be guilty of pride—doing and planning things “on your own.”

Let us not be found craving attention, seeking to be seen as important, deserving special privileges, or desiring man’s glory. These traits are what the church’s enemy—Satan—is known for. Instead, let us take on the nature of Jesus, who needed no special attention or privileges and sought no man’s glory. He lived to please the Father—and did so well.
May all we do bring glory to Jesus. Anything else is just foolish pride.

PRAYER:
Jesus, help me seek Your glory rather than mine. In all I do, may You be exalted and self be set aside. When I desire “attention” or “praise,” remind me where that leads. Thank You for being the great example—may I follow You in all I do.